E2C Hub Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions about the E2C Hub?

What is the history of the Hub?

The E2C Research and Data Hub builds on over 10 years of work largely funded by the Institute of Education Sciences’ Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) grants.  

The 2009 SLDS grant created the Education Data Warehouse which integrated the three separate agency data systems (those of the Departments of Early Education and Care [EEC], Elementary and Secondary Education [DESE], and Higher Education [DHE]) to establish a longitudinal data system. This grant also supported more automated data collection processes and improved data quality at DESE through the implementation of the schools interoperability framework technology. These improved data collection processes created opportunities for reports to be generated based on near real-time data.  

The 2015 SLDS grant led to the establishment of a longitudinal data system through a data sharing agreement developed between the Executive Office of Education and the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Beyond the additional outcomes of individuals participating in the Commonwealth’s public education systems, this grant also supported the creation or refinement of relevant and actionable reports, such as the Resource Allocation and District Action Reports (RADAR) and the Early Warning Indicator System (ECIS) using this growing body of data. 

The 2019 SLDS grant expands on the work of these earlier grants by creating a central location for agency staff, researchers, and the public to access these data, as well as supporting a culture of data use that can inform policy and practice and lead to more equitable outcomes. 

What types of data can be found in the Hub?

The Hub’s data catalog includes all the published data from participating agencies, making it easier to find the needed data on agency websites.

• Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
  • Program information about licensed and funded childcare programs (early care and education and after school/out-of-school time programs)
  • Early educators and other childcare program staff and administrators (forthcoming)
• Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
  • Enrollment and student demographics
  • Assessment results
  • Discipline
  • Graduation and college attendance
  • Staffing and demographics
  • Budget and spending
  • District and school profiles and report cards
• Department of Higher Education (DHE)
  • Enrollment and student demographics
  • Student success and completion
  • Number of degrees awarded
  • Institutional performance measurement report

For more information on the types of data included, please see the Directory of Datasets and Reports.

What are the next steps for the Hub?

	Goals
Phase 1 (FY22)	Stand up data tools to give more flexible use of public data  Improve reporting of outcomes  Create communities of data users  Link data across agencies  Align on burning questions, shared goals, research agenda  Establish data governance roles and processes
Phase 2 (FY23)	Enable secure role-based access  Create one-stop shop to submit and fulfill data requests  Use governance process to add secure, sensitive data to Hub  Produce first actionable research on goals and priorities  Support research/practitioner partnerships  Incorporate other secretariats into Data Hub and governance
Phase 3 (FY24+)	Develop long-term model for staffing and sustainable funding  Grow a “What Works” library of actionable research findings  Cultivate communities of practice and provide training  Provide consultation services to agencies and educators on data tools and needs  Implement ongoing public engagement to inform priorities  Codify process to regularly update roadmap and priorities  Review and evaluate processes

Do you have more questions about the E2C Research and Data Hub?

Please ask them through this inquiry form here.