What is the Utah Data Alliance (UDA)?

The Utah Data Alliance is a collaborative, multi-organizational partnership that seeks to enhance the quality of educational research and analysis in Utah regarding policies, practices, and programs by utilizing an integrated and confidential statewide longitudinal data system.  The Utah Data Alliance provides policy and decision makers research findings with the goal of improving education and workforce policy and practice.

What is a statewide, longitudinal data system (SLDS)?

In short, it is a state-of-the-art education data system that collects and securely stores information about all public school students in Utah.  Some of the information the Utah Data Alliance collects is available from multiple sources; however, the SLDS is unique because it matches information about individuals over long periods of time, from preschool, into K-12, through higher education and into the workforce.

How long will it take to develop the system?

Development will be ongoing through the summer of 2013.

What about the individual students, are they protected?

Utah Data Alliance values individual privacy and complies with Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as well as state and local regulations.  Personally identifiable information is not shared.

Who is part of the Utah Data Alliance?

The Utah Data Alliance partners are: Utah State Office of Education, Utah System of Higher Education, Utah College of Applied Technology, Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah Education and Telehealth Network, and Utah Education Policy Center.