EWF_G7_Graduate-small.png

Back to Apply

Essential Questions

Identify your essential question(s) about K-12 outcomes. Select from the framework’s essential questions or draft your own. Leading with essential questions can help you understand and prioritize what data you need to collect to answer those questions. The process of defining essential questions can also be a way to bring people together to agree on shared priorities.

Example

For example, you want to understand, “Are students experiencing sufficient early momentum in postsecondary education to be on track for on-time completion?”

Indicators

Once you have identified your essential question(s), assess what data (indicators and metrics) you need to answer the question(s). What data can you already access? For which indicators would you need additional information?

Example

For example, to answer the question above, you would need data on first-year credit accumulation, first-year program of study concentration, and postsecondary persistence. You also want to understand how well students are supported in their early postsecondary journey, so you aim to gather data on access to college and career advising.

Disaggregates

Disaggregate data to understand trends and patterns. Breaking data down by different populations, system conditions, or experiences can help data users assess disparities, expose hidden trends, and make informed decisions that lead to more equitable outcomes.

Example

For example, if you are interested in the extent to which different types of schools offer quality environments, you might disaggregate data by postsecondary institution classification. Or if you are interested in the extent to which students in certain fields of study fare better or worse than their peers, you might disaggregate data by postsecondary major.

Evidence-based Practices

Once you have collected and analyzed data to understand trends and patterns, use this information to select evidence-based practices to improve supports or outcomes related to your essential question(s). Using data to guide your selection of practices can help you make choices that meet the unique needs and opportunities in your community.

College advising

Example

For example, if the data suggest that students could benefit from more robust advising supports early in their postsecondary experience, you could advocate for or implement a comprehensive, integrated advising program.

Example Equitable Data Practices

Establish a governance or review body with representation from multiple contributing groups, such as academic advisors and students themselves, to oversee data collection initiatives. Convene this body to agree on the goals of the project, identify risks and benefits, develop mitigation strategies, and inform decisions at each phase of the data cycle (Data Equity Principle 1).

Disaggregate both outcome and systems data to illuminate any disparities and identify which student groups may need additional support. For example, break down data by characteristics such as credential-seeking status, which can help institutions support students seeking different types of credentials, or postsecondary institution classification, which can demonstrate the extent to which different types of institutions deliver positive outcomes for students (Data Equity Principle 3).

Gather students’ input when selecting evidence-based practices to implement in postsecondary settings. Student-informed data should guide your decision making to ensure practices and programs, such as mentoring and coaching or digital learning, are tailored to the unique needs of your students (Data Equity Principle 4).

Looking for Data?

To identify readily available data for preparing learners for postsecondary transitions and success, explore the external data sources suggested below—and don’t forget to seek out state and local data sources that are unique to your community.

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Data Explorer – National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). IPEDS is a system of 12 interrelated survey components conducted annually that gathers and reports data from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in federal student financial aid programs. It focuses on areas that include: institutional prices; admissions; enrollment; student financial aid; degrees and certificates conferred; student persistence and success; and institutional resources. NCES collects IPEDS data in fall, winter, and spring of each year.

National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). The NSC is a leading provider of educational reporting, data exchange, verification, and research services. Its Research Center publishes data and reports to better inform practitioners and policymakers about student educational pathways and enable informed decision making. NSC also offers a variety of subscription-based services, such as StudentTracker® and the Postsecondary Data Partnership, to manage individual- and institution-level data.