In a November 2023 blog post and a January 2024 brief DQC emphasized the critical need for high-quality, transparent military enlistment data to support students’ career planning as well as schools’ abilities to properly prepare them for those careers. The recent introduction of the Military and Educational Data Integration Act is a significant step toward fulfilling this need.
Introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), the Military and Educational Data Integration Act would provide education agencies with better access to military enlistment data. This bipartisan legislation proposes that the Department of Defense (DoD) establish a data sharing program that would enable state and local education systems to access detailed information on the career trajectory of students who enlist in the military.
In particular, this legislation would provide state and district education leaders with robust data they can use to guide students more effectively. With a better understanding of whether students who enlist in the military were adequately prepared for success in that career, state and local leaders can assess which course offerings, pathways programs, and other opportunities work best to help students succeed post-graduation. Additionally, access to timely and accurate data could enrich schools’ career counseling programs, allowing students to explore military careers with the same depth and clarity as other career paths available.
Moreover, with access to detailed, de-identified data, students can make more informed decisions about their career paths. They will be able to explore various fields accessible to them through the military, such as engineering, healthcare, technology and others. The data would allow them to assess potential career prospects, compare different pathways, and identify areas that align with their interests and strengths. Additionally, it can help them to dispel common misconceptions about military careers, enabling them to consider the military as a viable and rewarding option. This information empowers students to take charge of their future and make choices that are best suited to their individual goals and aspirations.
The bill also includes provisions to protect individual privacy and data security, ensuring that the shared data complies with federal, state, and local privacy laws.
This milestone was the result of dedicated state action. The introduction of this bill is a testament to the efforts of state education leaders like Kansas Commissioner of Education Randall Watson and the officials from 30 states and territories that joined him in petitioning DoD for access to this data. By consistently highlighting the need for transparency and accurate data in career planning, they have worked to ensure that the voices of students, educators, and families are heard. This legislation aims to pave the way for more informed decisionmaking and opens up new opportunities for young people across the country.
For further context and insight on detailed state and federal recommendations to build robust state data systems that enable access for individuals, policymakers, and the public, read our recent vision to transform state data systems.
