DC recognizes a need to take greater advantage of a broad level of research interest in DC’s many reform initiatives. Specifically, DC can play a more important role in the generation of information that could further catalyze reforms through research-based efforts. To this point, streamlining access for researchers is an important DC Race to the Top initiative. OSSE will identify and create a portfolio of research-ready data sets, including assessment, enrollment, teacher and financial data. OSSE will provide all state-level data stripped of personal identifiers in a simple, downloadable data format.  This will allow local groups and researchers to provide better analysis of educational processes more quickly and more comprehensively than with currently available data.

OSSE will also develop an online research request tool that allows researchers or outside organizations to easily apply for access to the portfolio of data sets. OSSE will publish a list of research priorities for DC and encourage submission of research findings related to these priorities. OSSE will provide requested data from local instructional improvement and longitudinal data systems to ensure research is supporting the evaluation of the effectiveness of instructional materials, strategies, and approaches for educating different types of students.