Data for the People (D4TP): A Movement to Democratize Access to Data
Advocating for stronger, more connected education and workforce data systems that better serve students-from early learning through career.
What Is Data for the People (D4TP)?
Data for the People (D4TP) began over a decade ago as a statewide policy campaign and has since grown into a cross-sector coalition of nonprofit organizations, co-led by EdTrust-West and Young Invincibles, advocating for education and workforce data systems that truly work for students and communities.
D4TP champions equitable data practices across:
California’s Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System
Statewide data systems spanning early childhood, TK–12, higher education, and workforce pathways
Because what data is collected, reported, and shared determines which students are seen, supported, and prioritized.
A Brief History of Data for the People
2010–2012:
Since 2010, EdTrust-West has advocated for improvements to California’s education data systems, such as the California Longitudinal Teacher Integrated Data Education System (CALTIDES) and advocated for the development of the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS).
2014–2016:
Early EdTrust-West advocacy highlights the need for a statewide longitudinal data system (LDS) to improve equity and
accountability.
2017–2018:
Initial Data for the People materials and reporting elevate gaps in K–12 and postsecondary data access and disaggregation.
2019:
California allocates funding to begin development of a statewide Cradle-to-Career Data System (C2C).
2021:
The office of Cradle-to-Career (C2C) is established by statute.
2022:
The D4TP Coalition is formally reconvened, co-chaired by EdTrust-West and Young Invincibles.
2023–2025:
C2C’s public dashboards launch; D4TP advances implementation accountability and expanded policy priorities.
2026 and Beyond:
Coalition focuses on system maturity, equity reporting, and cross-system alignment.
Advocating for a Strong, Equitable Cradle-to-Career Data System
California’s Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System is a statewide longitudinal data system that links education, workforce, and social service data. It has the potential to transform how the state understands student pathways-from early learning through to the workforce.
But that potential is only realized when equity is intentionally built into its design, governance, and implementation. For over a decade, D4TP has played a leading role in shaping the C2C Data System by advocating for its adoption, supporting its development, and continuing to push for implementation that truly serves all students and communities.
D4TP's Principles for C2C
- Centers and meaningfully engages students and families first, not just institutions
- Uses data to inform systemic, asset & equity-oriented change
- Counts all students and disaggregates data across the cradle-to-career continuum, including those often excluded or invisible in traditional systems
- Provides public-facing, accessible tools that communities can use to make informed decisions
- Protects student privacy, especially for undocumented students and vulnerable populations
C2C’s Student Pathways Dashboard
One example of our sustained advocacy is the Cradle-to-Career Data System’s
development of its first data story, the Student Pathways Dashboard. This
dashboard was designed to make complex data usable and meaningful for the public, including:
- How students transition from public high schools into post-secondary systems
- Where opportunity gaps emerge
- Which pathways lead to strong postsecondary and workforce outcomes
Watch a Video Tutorial:
We continue to push for expanded, disaggregated, and user-friendly dashboards that reflect the full diversity and real experiences of California’s students.
Data for the People (D4TP) Coalition
Co-Chaired by EdTrust-West & Young Invincibles
The Data for the People Coalition is a growing, cross-sector network of organizations across California working together to ensure data systems reflect and serve all communities.
Coalition partners center:
- Students of color, multilingual students, and students experiencing poverty
- Early childhood, TK–12, higher education, and workforce equity
- Youth voice, family engagement, immigrant justice, and student privacy
- Research, policy, and data as tools for systems change
Coalition partners work collectively and collaboratively to:
- Advocate for student-centered data systems that reflect real pathways and experiences
- Advance aligned, cross-sector policy priorities at the state level
- Hold state agencies accountable for equitable, transparent data practices
- Translate complex data into actionable insights for communities, advocates, and decision-makers
2026 Policy Agenda
What We Are Asking of California’s Education and Workforce Data Systems
The D4TP Coalition’s 2026 Policy Agenda outlines how California can modernize its education and workforce data infrastructure to serve students better and advance equity.
01
Build an Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS)
So the state can understand access, services, and outcomes before TK–12.
02
Strengthen TK–12 Instructional Data Reporting
Including courses, multilingual instruction, and program access.
03
Expand Multilingual Learner Data Across Systems
So MLL students are visible across early learning, postsecondary, and
workforce outcomes.
04
Improve Dual Enrollment Data and Transparency
To track who has access, where barriers exist, and which pathways lead to
success.
05
Align Education & Workforce Systems Through Interagency
Coordination
So the state can understand access, services, and outcomes before TK–12.
06
Strengthen Student Debt Data Reporting
To better understand affordability barriers and inequitable debt outcomes.
07
Expand Workforce Pathway Insights
Connecting credentials to employment, wages, and long-term outcomes.
What You Can Do
Join Us in Advancing Data Equity
Fund This Work:
Contact EdTrust-West’s development team to support data equity advocacy.
Learn More:
Sign up to hear about our briefings or coalition meetings to understand how education data impacts students.
Advocates:
Contact Roy Tongilava to meet about California’s educational data equity priorities.
Research, Reports & Tools
Our Digital Data Stories
Open news
Tool
Shedding Light on California’s Multilingual Learners in the Cradle-to-Career Data System
Tool
California is on the Cusp of Having the Data Needed to Better Recruit and Retain Teachers of Color
Tool
California is on the Cusp of Having the Data Needed to Better Recruit and Retain Teachers of Color
Tool
Equitable and Accessible
Early Learning and Care
in California Starts with
an Early Childhood
Integrated Data System
(ECIDS)
Tool
Data For The People: What’s Next: Designing a Cradle-to-Career Data System for an Equitable California
Tool
Data For The People: Prioritizing Equity in California’s State Longitudinal Data System
Tool
Data For The People Equity Alert: What’s Next for California’s Cradle to Career Data System
Partner Resources
Partner
People-Powered Data: Designing a Data System for and with All Californians
Partner
Cradle-to-Career Data System Unveils First Dashboard Focused on Student Pathways
