Stories from the Field: Advancing Data Interoperability in New York
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is building a unified, interoperable education and workforce data system through its P20W Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) initiative. Supported by a four-year federal SLDS grant, the effort uses the Ed-Fi Data Standard and CEDS Data Standard to connect K-12, higher education, and workforce data. The goal is to track student journeys from school to career, enabling smoother transitions into apprenticeships, certifications, and employment.
Historically, New York’s P-12 data warehouse faced challenges: disparate systems, outdated infrastructure, inconsistent standards, and limited real-time reporting capacity. These gaps made it difficult for educators and policymakers to answer critical questions about student progress and program effectiveness. In response, NYSED prioritized infrastructure modernization, statewide governance, and adoption of open standards to create a secure, learner-centered ecosystem. National partnerships further strengthen these efforts.
New York’s P20 W Statewide Longitudinal Data System initiative underscores the importance of co-designing with stakeholders, investing in open standards to mitigate vendor lock-in, and fostering proactive communication to establish trust and build capacity. Persistent challenges remain, such as modernizing infrastructure and aligning vendors, but sustained investment and transparent governance are helping the state move forward. By bridging education and workforce data, New York is positioning itself as a national model for how states can leverage interoperability to improve student outcomes and align talent pipelines with economic needs.¹
¹ Project Unicorn. (2025). Stories from the Field: Work with NY Workforce. https://www.projectunicorn.org/resources/ case-study-nysed
This Story from the Field is a supplement to the 2025 Project Unicorn State of the Sector Report which analyzes K-12 school system capabilities and infrastructure for leveraging education data. Read the full report.
