Data
Using Education Data
As noted in the Data Lever in United Way’s Equity Framework, using data is a critical strategy for advancing equity. Consistent use of disaggregated data helps surface persistent racial gaps and disparities, better understand who is most impacted by an issue, and identify root causes so that United Ways can work with other stakeholders to develop equity centric goals and strategies.
In education, significant data exists to help fuel strategies that can address longstanding opportunity and attainment gaps for students of color. A good approach is collecting disaggregated data that highlights gaps in educational opportunities, resources, networks and supports, as well as gaps in outcomes like 3rd grade reading proficiency and high school graduation rates. Collecting data on widespread, systemic gaps in opportunities and resources helps paint a more complete picture of why outcomes are different for students.
This kind of data collection can drive storytelling that helps increase awareness, build shared understanding, and create widespread support for solutions that are explicitly designed to close persistent gaps in educational outcomes. Using data to understand the historical origins of the persistent gaps can strengthen and expand support for solutions that go beyond supports for individual students and families to policy changes resulting in more equitable school funding approaches, increased access to high-quality Pre-K in under-resourced communities, and increased access to high-quality teachers and curricula for BIPOC students.
Included below are data points, many of which United Ways can access publicly and track to demonstrate progress (or challenge) in improving health outcomes. The list is not exhaustive but focused on a vital few data points that should be disaggregated by race, gender, income level, ability status, and geography (where available). Data on outcomes will be more readily available than data on access to networks, supports, resources and opportunities. Where data does not exist, United Ways can partner with state and local education agencies, higher education institutions, local advocacy organizations, data centers, and others to help fill these critical information gaps. Indicators labeled with an asterisk (*) are included in United Way’s common measurement framework, the Global Results Framework.
Indicators
- View Early Childhood Indicators
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Access and Participation
- Percent and number of students who receive college/career counseling in high school
- Percent and number of students who participate in/or have access to college supports (college visits, test prep, financial aid/scholarship information)
- Percent and number of high school seniors who complete FAFSA applications
- Percent and number of students who participate Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Gifted and Talented Education
- Percent and number of youth participating in internships and/or summer jobs
- Number of community/state-based coalitions or collaboratives focused on post-secondary access and completion
Outcomes
- Percent of students who graduate high school college and career ready
- Percent and number of students who matriculate to college (2 and 4 year, technical) after their senior year of high school
- Percent and number of students who graduate college within 4 or 6 years of enrollment
- Percent and number of adults with some form of post-secondary degree or credential
- Percent of youth who are “disconnected” (ages 16-24, neither working or in school)
- View K-12 Indicators
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Access and Participation
- Percent and number of students attending high-quality K-12 schools (performing satisfactory or above state accountability requirements)
- Percent of students attending schools that are low-performing and/or more than 40 percent qualify for Free and Reduced Meals
- Percent and number of K-12 children and youth who participate in afterschool/summer programs and/or receive individualized supports*
- Percent and number of youth participating in internships and/or summer jobs
- Percent of youth who receive job skills training*
- Percent and number of students who participate AP, IB and Gifted and Talented programs
- Percent and number of students who participate in dual enrollment or early college programs
- Percent and number of students who participate in Career and • Technical Education programs
- Percent and number of children/youth with consistent access to the Internet
- Percent and number of youth with access to computer software and hardware
- Access to books outside of school
- Number of community/state-based early coalitions or collaboratives focused on access to high-quality afterschool and summer programs
- Number of community/state- coalitions or collaboratives focused on promoting quality, equitable K-12 education
Outcomes- Percent of students reading at grade level 3rd grade reading proficiency rates*
- Percent of students who earning passing grades in core subject areas*
- Percent of students who maintain satisfactory or improve school attendance*
- Percent of youth who develop soft skills*
- Percent of students who are referred to special education
- Percent of students who are retained a grade
- Percent of students who are suspended or expelled from school
- Percent of students who graduate high school on time (race, income level, gender)*
- Percent of students who graduate HS college and career ready
- Percent of youth (15-24) who are employed and/or complete internships*
- View Post Secondary Indicators
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Access and Participation
- Percent and number of students who receive college/career counseling in high school
- Percent and number of students who participate in/or have access to college supports (college visits, test prep, financial aid/scholarship information)
- Percent and number of high school seniors who complete FAFSA applications
- Percent and number of students who participate Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Gifted and Talented Education
- Percent and number of youth participating in internships and/or summer jobs
- Number of community/state-based coalitions or collaboratives focused on post-secondary access and completion
Outcomes
- Percent of students who graduate high school college and career ready
- Percent and number of students who matriculate to college (2 and 4 year, technical) after their senior year of high school
- Percent and number of students who graduate college within 4 or 6 years of enrollment
- Percent and number of adults with some form of post-secondary degree or credential
- Percent of youth who are “disconnected” (ages 16-24, neither working or in school)
Key Education Data Sources
The national data sources listed below are places to gather education data, a good portion of which is disaggregated by race, income level, gender, and geographic location. This list is not exhaustive, but provides a starting point for identifying education data that can be used to contextualize and deepen understanding of economic gaps and disparities in the community your United Way serves. In addition, some of the resources below focus specifically on gathering and analyzing data through an equity lens.
• Local school districts and/or state education agencies – for district, school, and student data; best sources for current, local educational information including school/district demographics, per pupil expenditures, school quality, student achievement and performance, and school accountability information.
• National Center for Education Statistics – comprehensive repository of national education data including topics in early childhood, K-12, and post-secondary and often disaggregated by race, income level, gender and geography.
• National Assessment for Educational Progress – commonly referred to as the Nation’s Report Card; access national student performance data for key grade levels in core subject areas, including reading, mathematics, and disaggregated by race, income level, gender, and geography.
• U.S. Department of Education – main access point for information and data on a wide range of educational issues, including early childhood, K-12 and post-secondary. In addition to linking to key data warehouses like NCES (see above), the site contains information on federal education grants, regulations and policy guidance, and student loans (Pell Grants).
• U.S. Census Bureau – for information on educational attainment, school enrollment, school finances and expenditures.
• Measure of America – provides annual data on the prevalence of disconnected youth in the United States (i.e. the number and percent of youth ages 16-24 neither in school or working); including reports highlighting disparities, and an interactive tool that can be used to visualize the extent of the problem by geographical area.
• Kids Count Data Center – Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Data Center annual compiles key data to highlight the well-being of children and youth in the United States, which is published in the KIDS Count Data Book; the data book indexes and ranks child well-being by state based on a set of indicators across four domains: education, health, economic well-being and family/community.
• Education Trust – provides data, research, reports, and policy analysis to advocate for equitable access to a quality education for all students; interactive data tools can be used to understand the current state of educational practice, outcomes and the prevalence of racial inequities by state, including college completion, access to early childhood education, access to advanced, college prep coursework, and teacher diversity and quality.
• Urban Institute – provide research reports, briefs, and fact sheets on key issues in childcare, early childhood education, K-12, and postsecondary education.
