Each year, DQC tracks state legislation that governs the collection and use of education and workforce data. Since 2014, we have reviewed data legislation in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to highlight key themes, promising trends, and next steps for policymakers.

This year,three states introduced and enacted legislation addressing cross-agency data governance—the most important step that states must take to make robust access to data possible. 

Alabama, Montana, and Rhode Island now join California, Kentucky and Maryland to serve as models for other states by bringing together leaders from cross-sector agencies to share a table and make transparent decisions about data. 

This year’s review also shows that states are making progress in three additional areas that support data access:

1. Funding statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) and the source systems that contribute data to them;
2. Centering privacy and establishing ethical data use practices to build trust in state data systems; and
3. Getting more data into the hands of more people.

Our latest resource spotlights the details of what states did this year to address data access and use and provides recommendations for states to continue supporting data access through improved SLDSs moving forward.