Everyone—from students to governors—need access to more and better data to make informed decisions about education and workforce pathways. 

DQC’s recent national student poll—developed with students from the Kentucky Student Voice Team and conducted by The Harris Poll—surveyed high school students across the country to find out how they think about data as they navigate high school and make plans about what comes next. Students conveyed that data about learning and academic progress is important to helping them stay on track, but their own data isn’t getting back to them.

• Less than 50% of students report getting any information from their school about whether they’re meeting grade-level expectations, if they’re on track to graduate from high school, or how much academic progress they’ve made this year.
• 80% of students agree that they would feel more confident about the path they will take after high school if they had better access to information.

High school students need access to information to answer questions about their postsecondary pathways. What programs meet my needs? Where can I meet my goals without unnecessary debt? Should I go to a four-year college or will an apprenticeship better fit my needs? What outcomes can I expect? 

Robust state data systems must be designed to help students answer these questions and seamlessly navigate transitions from high school into college and career pathways.