In 2019, California enacted the Cradle-to-Career Data System Act, which outlines the development of a statewide data infrastructure. This data system will safely and securely link together educational, workforce, financial aid, and social service information to address disparities in opportunities and improve outcomes for all students.
Over the course of 2020, stakeholder-leaders representing government agencies, civil rights groups, researchers, and practitioners serving students across California (e.g., teachers) will engage in the process to design the first phase of the data system. The California Governor’s Office, with support from WestEd, will lead the process. The recommendations will be documented in a report to the Department of Finance and the Legislature. In July 2021, a second report will provide additional implementation specifications.
What types of information will the data system provide?
The data system will provide information that helps more students attain their educational, career, and life goals. By securely connecting data that schools, colleges, social service agencies, financial aid providers, and employers already collect, it will be easier to:
- Identify the types of supports that help more students learn, stay in school, prepare for college, graduate, and secure a job
- Provide information that teachers, parents, advisors, and students can use to identify opportunities and make decisions
- Help agencies plan for and improve educational, workforce, and health and human services programs
- Support research on improving policies from birth through career
How will the data system be designed?
The legislation specifies decisions that need to be made to ensure the data system serves students and families, enables information to be shared in a manner that promotes data privacy and security, minimizes the need for new infrastructure, and can be adapted to meet future needs.
Learn more at cadatasystem.wested.org, including:
- How the design process will be structured
- The people who are supporting the design process, including workgroup and advisory group members
- Meeting agendas, background papers, and summaries
- How to sign up for alerts and provide your input