(Washington, DC) — The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia are joining forces to launch the region’s first collaborative effort to track how students move from school to careers across state lines. Funded by the Coleridge Initiative’s Democratizing Our Data Challenge (DDC), this partnership will create a multi-state “Student Pathways Report,” linking K-12, postsecondary, and workforce data to provide policy makers with a clearer picture of student outcomes. 
 
With more than 20% of the region’s 10.2 million residents crossing state lines daily for work, the initiative addresses a major blind spot in public data systems. For the first time, leaders will be able to follow education and career trajectories across DC, Maryland, and Virginia, informing programs that support students and workers where they live, learn, and work. 
 
“This is a major milestone for data-driven policymaking in the National Capital Region,” said Monica Dodge, Executive Director of the Office of Education Through Employment Pathways for the District of Columbia. “By breaking down data silos, we can better understand what’s working for our residents and where we need to improve.”
 
The new effort builds on Mayor Bowser’s broader commitment to reimagining high school and expanding education-to-career pathways for DC students. To date, the Bowser Administration has invested more than $100 million to increase access to real-world learning experiences and specialized coursework. In 2024, Mayor Bowser established the Office of Education Through Employment Pathways to track education and employment outcomes and use this data to strengthen programs that prepare young people for college and careers.  
 
The project will roll out in two phases. During the first phase (2025 – 2026), the participating jurisdictions will finalize data sharing agreements, develop a record linkage strategy, and prepare their data for secure analysis within Coleridge’s Administrative Data Research Facility. In 2027, the project will produce a regional report on student pathways from high school to the workforce, disaggregated by race, gender, and socio-economic status. 
  
“This is a powerful example of what it looks like to govern as a region,” said Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education for the District of Columbia. “By sharing data across borders, we are gaining new insights into the journeys of our students and workers. This is the kind of bold, collaborative work that allows us to reimagine opportunity in the DMV.” 
 
The Coleridge Initiative’s Democratizing Our Data Challenge supports innovative, applied uses of administrative data to strengthen public programs and policies. The DC/VA/MD project was one of only three teams selected in Round Three of the Challenge. 
 
“As we continue to use data to drive positive outcomes for students, parents, and the public, we are excited to partner with Coleridge, Maryland and DC to improve and enhance data sharing in the region,” said Scott Fleming, Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. 
 
This project is supported by a Tier 3 award from the Coleridge Initiative. Research and analysis are expected to be completed by the end of 2027. 
 
About the Coleridge Initiative 
The Coleridge Initiative is a nonprofit organization working with governments to improve the use of data in public decision-making. It helps agencies enhance data literacy and collaborate across states through secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. To learn more, visit www.coleridgeinitiative.org.
 
About the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) 
The DME leads the Mayor’s vision for academic excellence and a high-quality education continuum from birth to 24 (from early childhood to K-12 to post-secondary and the workforce). The DME coordinates education and workforce policy across DC and, through its Office of Education Through Employment Pathways, works to align education and training systems with the needs of residents and employers.