Photo credit: www.educationnext.org
A Solution Emerges
The intersection of data management and coordination presents a significant challenge that can be addressed with collaborative efforts. Notable organizations such as the Council of Chief State School Officers and the Data Quality Campaign are leading the way in this regard. They have established a new initiative known as MEDALS (Military Enlistment Data Access to Lift Student Success), aimed at enhancing data utilization and coordination.
Addressing the data-related challenges is feasible. An earlier initiative by the Department of Labor successfully linked military enlistment data with student performance outcomes under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, proving that the necessary data is available for insightful tracking. The primary obstacle lies in establishing a secure framework for the Department of Defense to share this crucial information with state entities.
The formation of MEDALS is a proactive approach to meet this challenge. This working group consists of military leaders, state officials, federal data specialists, and technological experts united in their goal of developing a standardized procedure that enables states to securely access military data from all branches.
A critical issue that will be debated by the MEDALS team is the timeline for tracking and associating adult outcomes back to a student’s high school education. For instance, if a student graduates and subsequently enlists shortly thereafter, the outcome seems straightforward. However, complications arise when a student takes a different path after graduation, perhaps working in various jobs before finally deciding to join the military. How will such cases be evaluated for the purposes of crediting schools with adequately preparing these individuals? Determining a suitable cut-off point for assessing success will be essential.
The group is also contemplating privacy laws and overarching concerns related to data governance and the safeguarding of student information. An essential question revolves around data ownership; it is imperative that the responsibility lies with state education agencies rather than the Department of Defense. The initiative aims not only to enhance military recruitment but also to ascertain whether educational institutions are effectively equipping students for future endeavors, be it military service, the workforce, or continued education.
While the complexities of this undertaking cannot be underestimated, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the MEDALS initiative. With the support of state education leaders, defense officials, and congressional representatives dedicated to this cause, there is confidence that military service can be recognized alongside traditional college and career pathways.
Source
www.educationnext.org