Advancing Student Success through Postsecondary Data Innovation

With a new grant, University of Delaware’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy will expand Delaware’s Postsecondary Outcomes Dashboard in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education

Postsecondary outcomes data—such as college enrollment and persistence—provide critical insights that help schools better prepare students for success beyond high school. With a new $100,000 Action Fund grant from Quality Information Partners (QIP), University of Delaware’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) will expand Delaware’s Postsecondary Outcomes Dashboard in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE).

“We are proud to be part of this project, which stems from a longstanding partnership between the Higher Education Office at the DDOE and CRESP,” said Jeff Klein, principal investigator and senior policy scientist in CRESP. “Our goal is to provide schools and policymakers with valuable insights, such as identifying which K-12 supports most effectively enhance college readiness and contribute to student success after graduation. That way, we can make informed decisions that positively impact Delaware students’ futures.”

The expansion will introduce new data indicators to the dashboard such as Advanced Placement, academic and technical dual enrollment, International Baccalaureate participation, FAFSA completion, state scholarships and college applications.

The project also includes statewide training to support counselors and school leaders in using postsecondary outcomes data to guide advising and expand equitable access to advanced coursework opportunities. This work strengthens Delaware’s efforts to support students’ transitions to college and career through data-driven decision-making.

The Delaware Postsecondary Outcomes Dashboard is a project facilitated by QIP and funded by the Council of Chief State School Officers’ (CCSSO) Action Fund for the K–12 Community of Practice: Using Postsecondary Data, which has received grant funding from the Gates Foundation.

The Action Fund supports 10 projects nationwide that help states and districts use postsecondary outcomes data to improve student success. Funded projects focus on creating dashboards to increase access to high-quality postsecondary data, integrating data sets to support informed decision-making and building educator and leader data literacy through professional learning and resources.

Awardees represent a wide range of state education agencies, nonprofit organizations and a tribal education consortium across the United States, including Arizona Department of Education; Education Forward Arizona; CT RISE Network; Washington, D.C. Office of Education Through Employment Pathways; Delaware Department of Education – Higher Education Office; Iowa Postsecondary Attainment Institute; Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education; Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center; Missouri College and Career Attainment Network; and Virginia Tribal Education Consortium.

“CCSSO is proud to support our state members, in partnership with their districts or community partners, to use data in ways that help every student succeed beyond high school and support continuous improvement efforts locally,” said Dean R. Folkers, senior director of education data and technology at CCSSO.

As part of this project, CCSSO and QIP will provide technical assistance, training and coaching to awardees throughout the implementation process. Lessons learned and project outcomes will be shared broadly to benefit other members of the community of practice and the wider education field.

About CRESP

Housed in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), CRESP conducts applied research and evaluation to inform education policy and practice. CRESP partners with state and national education agencies, policymakers and practitioners to generate actionable evidence, support data-informed decision-making and promote educational equity across K–12, postsecondary and workforce systems.

To learn more about CEHD research in education and social policy, evaluation and more, visit its research webpage.

Header image caption: With a new grant, UD will expand Delaware’s Postsecondary Outcomes Dashboard in partnership with the Delaware Department of Education. Here, UD College of Education and Human Development students celebrate their graduation.

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Evan Krape and Yuying Zhou.