State Guide to Developing Successful Early Childhood Data Systems

Early education leaders--inside and outside of government--are looking for new ways to improve quality, accountability, and efficiency across many different programs serving young children and their families, and they see investment in data systems as a pivotal part of that effort. However, it can be challenging to develop and implement effective data systems that successfully build on existing platforms and serve multiple purposes. If done well, a data system can provide critical information to support policy decisions, steer continuous quality improvement, create cost savings, and improve customer service. If done poorly, a data system can create new administrative burdens, incur unexpected costs, and tarnish an agency's reputation. To ensure your data project provides the greatest benefits to all involved, download this guide to learn about key considerations across the "Assess, Plan, Do, Evaluate" cycle of data systems development.