October 2022
On October 3, AERA submitted comments in response to a Request for Information (RFI) from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy related to equitable data engagement and accountability. The RFI sought input on how Federal agencies can better support collaboration with other levels of government, civil society, and the research community around the production and use of equitable data.
The comments from AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine highlighted examples of collaborations across federal, state, and local agencies for the collection and reporting of equitable data. These collaborations included several activities within the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) such as the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems program (SLDS).
The comments also provided the following recommended actions that federal agencies could take to make equitable data more accessible and useable for historically underrepresented scholars: expanding grant opportunities for research use of data, building infrastructure to support research and data capacity within emerging research institutions, promoting the use of trusted data repositories and encouraging partnerships between agencies and existing repositories, and developing policies that can further facilitate research using equitable data by historically underrepresented researchers and institutions of federal research grants.
Levine also noted the need for funding and staff resources to further increase participation and accountability for equitable data collected by federal agencies, including NCES.
“With the disruption and resulting impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had across educational systems, students, the educator workforce, and communities, NCES longitudinal studies are even more essential for understanding the long-term effects and potential disparities on academic and non-academic outcomes,” Levine wrote. “Robust resources and staff are essential for NCES to maintain these important equitable data indicators.”
This RFI follows on several actions that the Biden-Harris administration has taken on equity, including the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, an RFI from the Office of Management and Budget, and the report from the Equitable Data Working Group.
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