Language
English (en)
Publication Date
11-26-2025
Summary
Historically, education and workforce-development programs have relied on survey data or state-government administrative data to examine program impacts. However, surveys are costly, reasonable comparison groups can be difficult to identify, and results from analyses of a single state’s administrative data can seldom be generalized to enable broader conclusions. This brief discusses a research collaboration between the Center for Social Development, the National Student Clearinghouse, and a large credit bureau. Through this collaboration researchers used large, frequently updated, multi-type (i.e., “big”) data to examine the impact of education and certificate programs on social mobility, as well as racial and gender equity.
This Practice Brief is the first in a series of case studies that highlight how social sector organizations are implementing collaborative and equitable data practices to increase their impact. The series promotes peer learning and knowledge sharing among social sector practitioners from diverse backgrounds, sectors, and roles.
Document Type
Other
Original Citation
Chun, Y., Fitzgerald, J., & Jabbari, J. (2025). Taking small steps with big data: Exploring the impact of education on social mobility (CSD Practice Brief No. 25-57), Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Keywords
Data for Social Impact ; education ; 2025 ; data literacy ;
Recommended Citation
Chun, Y., Fitzgerald, J., & Jabbari, J. (2025). Taking small steps with big data: Exploring the impact of education on social mobility (CSD Practice Brief No. 25-57), Washington University, Center for Social Development.