What To Expect at the STATS-DC Education Data Conference

One important feature of STATS-DC is that U.S. Department of Education offices provide updates and training on federal policies and activities that affect data collection and reporting. Another highlight is presentations by state and local education agency personnel who work directly with data collection and reporting, as well as by experts from other organizations who share strategies and ideas involving education statistics. Finally, since the conference draws participants and presenters from diverse locations—including a variety of specialists in education and data—it offers great networking opportunities.

Twelve kinds of presentation topics

Many presentations occur simultaneously at STATS-DC—typically 10 presentations at once in 10 rooms. To decide which you are interested in attending, refer to the 2018 Agenda at a Glance, available on the IES conference web page (also provided on paper in the conference registration packet). The Agenda at a Glance color-codes presentations by topic. There are 12 topics, and each presentation is assigned to one of them, based on its content:

• CCD: The Common Core of Data is a national database that contains information collected from public elementary and secondary schools.

• Data Collection: Federal, state, and local agencies collect data about education—a large logistical operation.

• Data Linking Beyond K-12: Linking data from K-12 to early learning, higher education, and workforce provides information used to support students.

• Data Management: Collecting, storing, and using data requires governance, oversight, and procedures.

• Data Privacy: When personal information is collected, privacy and security concerns are paramount.

• Data Quality: It is important that data are as accurate and precise as possible.

• Data Standards: The education data community is forming common standards, or understandings, about what terms mean and how they are used.

• Data Use (Analytical): Analysts use data for analyses such as time series, for academic research, and in many other ways.

• Data Use (Instructional): Educators use data to improve teaching and learning.

• Fiscal Data: Data on finances can help agencies, districts, and schools plan budgets and use resources efficiently.

• SLDS: The Statewide Longitudinal Data System Grant Program provides grants and resources for the development and expansion of student-level state data systems.

• Other: Some presentations may not fall into any of the above categories.

To decide which presentations you would like to attend, you may also wish to read abstracts. Abstracts offer more detailed information about each presentation than is available in the Agenda at a Glance and are available on the Agenda tab of the NCES STATS-DC web page. The Agenda will not be included on paper in the registration packet. However, it is posted online in both HTML and PDF formats, and complimentary Wi-Fi will be available to conference participants in the meeting space.

Making plans to attend STATS-DC

QIP staff will be attending STATS-DC this year, as we have every year for many years. We are currently preparing for the event as described in our recent blog post about how to maximize the benefits of a professional conference. If you are a member of the education statistics community, are interested in learning more about education data, or are attending for another reason, we look forward to seeing you there.

To register and access details about the event, visit the NCES web page on 2018 STATS-DC. If you are unable to attend STATS-DC in 2018 but are interested in attending in a future year, check for updates about future conferences on the IES web page on conferences, workshop/training, and technical assistance.