The 10 Essential Elements are the core components of a robust longitudinal data system. For the past four years, the DQC’s annual survey has tracked state progress in implementing the 10 Essential Elements to ensure that policymakers and educators have the longitudinal data systems capable of providing timely, valid and relevant data to inform decisions. This year, for the first time, the DQC provides a view of the 10 Actions -- the fundamental steps states must put in place to change the culture around how data are used to make inform their decisions to improve system and student performance. This list of 10 Actions is not exhaustive—it is designed to push states beyond their current practices and policies to change the culture around data use and to maximize states’ infrastructure investments.
