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State Noncredit Data

State Noncredit Data Project

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State Noncredit Data Project

Building the Non-Degree Credential Data Infrastructure

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Noncredit education and non-degree credentials are growing rapidly, but data systems have not kept pace with this expansion. The project aims to strengthen data infrastructure by advancing research, developing a shared taxonomy for data collection, and creating learning opportunities to share effective practices across the field.

About The Project

Noncredit education and non-degree credentials are growing in popularity, but data collection and analysis have not kept pace. This project, which has received funding from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Gates Foundation, and the Strada Education Foundation seeks to foster the development of a more robust data infrastructure using three key strategies: generating research to advance the field; creating a taxonomy to guide data collection efforts; and creating learning opportunities to share successful practices.

Research state noncredit data in a range of contexts

The first two phases of this project focused primarily on the community college sector in eight states: Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Subsequent phases will expand the scope of the project to other data sources such as university systems, departments of labor, and longitudinal data systems.

The project will also examine governance structures related to non-degree credential data in the eight research partner states to assess their influence on policy levers, legislation, and quality assurance.

As current research partnerships deepen to include new data sources and governance analyses, additional state partners will join the project to expand its range of state experiences with noncredit data.

Develop a national taxonomy to aid states in the development of noncredit data.

The first two phases of this project focused primarily on the community college sector in eight states: Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Subsequent phases will expand the scope of the project to other data sources such as university systems, departments of labor, and longitudinal data systems. The project will also examine governance structures related to non-degree credential data in the eight research partner states to assess their influence on policy levers, legislation, and quality assurance. As current research partnerships deepen to include new data sources and governance analyses, additional state partners will join the project to expand its range of state experiences with noncredit data.
Advance successful practices in noncredit education and non-degree credential data collection through peer learning.

The State Noncredit Data Project Learning Community continues to grow as a resource for states to share information. So far, membership is nearing 500 and represents nearly all U.S. states. The learning community meets quarterly online, and meeting recordings are shared after each meeting. The learning community is open to all.

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