Chiefs for Change and Data Quality Campaign released a report that outlines how states and districts can track where students go after high school graduation to help design schools and programs that will prepare all young people to succeed in life. Currently, many states and districts do not track, or find it hard to access, data about whether their former students enroll in or graduate from college, enter the workforce, enlist in the military, or pursue service opportunities once they leave high school. Without these data, it is difficult to know whether schools are ensuring students graduate ready for college and careers. In addition, the lack of data hinders states’ ability to gauge progress toward postsecondary educational attainment and workforce goals; analyze the factors that lead to positive long-term outcomes; craft policies aligned to the conditions young people face after graduation; and allocate resources in an equitable manner to effective programs.
