State leaders can ease data reporting burdens on early childhood administrators and empower adult learners with information they need to adapt to a changing job market
WASHINGTON (December 5, 2024) –From early childhood to adulthood, individuals—and the people who support them—need access to data that helps them make decisions about education and workforce pathways. The Data Quality Campaign’s (DQC) 2024 public opinion polling underscores that two groups of data users at opposite ends of the education to workforce spectrum, early childhood administrators and adult learners, both see value in using data and have an appetite for better access to more information.
DQC’s national early childhood administrator poll, conducted by The Harris Poll, surveyed administrators to find out how they are collecting, using, and reporting data. Early childhood administrators voiced that while data is essential for their work, they need better access to data and shared that data collection and reporting requirements tend to be inefficient—if not overwhelming. The poll found that:
- Early childhood administrators rely on data and need better training and tools to improve their use of data. 97% say that using data has significantly improved their decisionmaking processes and leads to better outcomes but 95% need more training on how to effectively use data.
- Data reporting processes are burdensome and complicated. 96% of respondents wish collection was more efficient.
- Early childhood administrators seek greater value from data reporting. 71% of respondents indicate they are required to report data to state or federal agencies but 81% indicated the feedback they receive back from agencies isn’t necessarily useful to them.
“Early childhood administrators value data and use it to ensure our youngest children have what they need to thrive during a pivotal period of physical and mental development,” said Data Quality Campaign President and CEO Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger. “As states enhance their data infrastructure, state leaders must ensure those enhancements benefit early childhood administrators by providing them with better access to data and easing data collection and reporting burdens that take up valuable time and energy.”
DQC’s national poll of adult learners looking to enhance their careers, also conducted by The Harris Poll, surveyed adult learners about how they have used data to explore and select certificate, short-term, and noncredit programs. Adult learners reported that they value challenging themselves, seeking out skills that allow them to stay employed in a changing job market, and pursuing learning opportunities that offer tangible career and personal benefits. The poll found that:
- The workforce landscape is constantly changing and with it the demands on workers to gain new skills and education. 93% of respondents agree that continually upskilling is essential and increases job security.
- Adult learners need access to data to make informed decisions about their futures, but are not finding the information they seek from government sources. While 17% of respondents gathered information from a government website, only 18% found the information they sought on government websites.
“Adult learners who want to further their careers or pursue a new pathway deserve access to information that can help them understand industry trends, locate high-quality programs that meet their needs, and assess the cost and return on investment of participating in a program,” said Bell-Ellwanger. “Statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) can facilitate access to this data. States must establish and enhance their SLDSs to provide usable, accessible tools for career enhancers, other job seekers, policymakers, and the public to find quality data.”
Both of these polls were conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Data Quality Campaign. The early childhood administrator poll was conducted July 25–30, 2024, among 260 early childhood administrators—educational or child care professionals in program director or general manager roles serving children from birth through age four. Adult learner polling was conducted August 5–9, 2024 among 1,510 career enhancers—individuals who are, were, or are interested in being enrolled in an accredited certificate program.
For more information on DQC’s 2024 national polling, visit DQC’s website.
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The Data Quality Campaign is a nonprofit policy and advocacy organization leading the effort to ensure that data works for everyone navigating their education and workforce journeys. For more information, go to dataqualitycampaign.org and follow us on LinkedIn.
