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Data for the People: 2026 Policy Agenda

Publication Date

April 2, 2026

Topics

  • State Data System
  • Data
  • Policy Agenda

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Download Full Agenda

Overview

California cannot close opportunity gaps or improve student outcomes without modern, transparent, and interconnected data systems. The Data 4 The People (D4TP) Coalition—a statewide coalition of education and workforce advocates, co-chaired by EdTrust-West and Young Invincibles, working across early childhood, TK–12, higher education, and workforce development—developed the 2026 Policy Agenda to address the most urgent data gaps facing communities, advocates, and policymakers. 

This agenda outlines actionable steps state leaders can take to strengthen the Cradle-to-Career (C2C) Data System, improve reporting across agencies, and ensure all Californians have access to timely, disaggregated data that drives accountability and supports better outcomes.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2026 Policy Agenda proposes seven statewide priorities that strengthen data infrastructure from early learning through the workforce.
  • Recommendations focus on equity, transparency, and cross-agency alignment, ensuring communities get the information they need to advocate for better outcomes
  • Strengthening data systems is essential for targeting resources, supporting multilingual learners, improving dual enrollment access, and tracking education-to-workforce pathways.
  • The agenda also calls for implementing the newly established California Interagency Council as an accountable, cross-agency driver of shared standards, definitions, and improved statewide reporting

What You'll Find in These Resources

1. 2026 Policy Agenda — Three-Pager

A comprehensive overview of all seven priority areas,  including:

  • Multilingual learner (MLL) data 
  • Dual enrollment data

  • Interagency Council implementation

  • Student debt reporting

  • Workforce data integration and dashboards

This version includes background context, rationale, and recommended next steps for policymakers.

Read Three-Pager

2. 2026 Policy Agenda — One-Pager

A streamlined summary perfect for:

  • Legislative meetings
  • Partner sharing
  • Public presentations
  • High-level advocacy and communications
Read One-Pager

Call to Action

The D4TP Coalition is mobilizing partners across California
to advance policies that strengthen data access, improve transparency, and
build education and workforce systems that truly serve all communities. 

You can help drive change by:

  • Sharing these resources with policymakers, community leaders, and partners.

  • Advocating for state investments in interconnected, equity-focused data systems.

  • Engaging with the D4TP Coalition to stay informed and support advocacy efforts.

  • Joining the coalition’s email list for updates, action alerts, and partnership opportunities.

Get Involved

Visit eddataforthepeople.org/ to:

  • Join the D4TP email list
  • Explore the coalition’s work
  • Connect with partners
  • Learn about upcoming advocacy opportunities 

For partnership inquiries, contact: Roy Tongilava.

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