IHEP Leads Coalition of 30 Partners to Shape the NCES Data Users Conference
Washington, DC (October 31, 2024) – The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) led a coalition of 25 organizations and 8 individuals who have submitted a letter to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in response to the agency’s request for information on its inaugural Data Users Conference.
Our letter highlights the critical role of data in addressing equity and improving educational outcomes. We urge NCES to prioritize the following in its conference planning:
- Implementation of SPD15: We advocate for robust discussions on the implementation of the Office of Management and Budget’s Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD15), which aims to improve data collection on race and ethnicity.
- Guidance on FTI: We call for guidance on the treatment of Federal Tax Information (FTI) found on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) following recent legislative changes.
- Recruitment of diverse participants: We encourage NCES to actively recruit participants with expertise in specific student groups’ experiences, representing a diverse group of institutions, and leverage membership organizations and associations to support outreach.
- Preserving and Improving Postsecondary Sample Studies: We emphasize the importance of NCES postsecondary sample studies, such as the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) and the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B) in understanding student pathways, affordability, and outcomes.
- Improving IPEDS: We recommend discussing recent changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and was to enhance the data system to better capture the experiences of diverse student populations, particularly students with disabilities.
By addressing these critical issues, the NCES Data Users Conference can serve as a catalyst for data-driven solutions that promote equity and improve educational outcomes for all students.
Read the full letter and list of signatories.
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Organizations:
AccessLex Institute
California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy
Complete College America
Data Quality Campaign
EdTrust
Education Reform Now
Excelencia in Education
FirstGen Forward
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
Institute for Higher Education Policy
National Center for Learning Disabilities
National College Attainment Network
NCHEMS
New America Higher Education Program
Nexus Research and Policy Center
Public Agenda
Southern Regional Education Board
SSTAR Lab – University of Wisconsin Madison
State Higher Education Executive Officers Association
The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs
The Institute for College Access & Success
Third Way
Trellis Strategies
Wichita State University TRIO Talent Search Programs
Young Invincibles
Individuals:
Angela Boatman, Boston College
Kristine Jan Cruz Espinoza, California Lutheran University
Carolyn Fast, Director of Higher Education Policy and Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation
Barbara A Schmertz, Maryland Higher Education Commission
Steven Graunke, Miami University
Rachel Christeson, NC-SARA
Susannah Livingood, University of Oklahoma
Donald Heller, University of San Francisco
