Ajanae Cannady

The meeting agenda included a welcome and roll call, operational updates, a discussion regarding the research framework and use cases for the project's second phase, and planning for future meetings.

The meeting focused on the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) project updates, including data ingestion status and legal addenda progress. The group discussed the scope of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), specifically targeting enrollment, completion, and wage outcomes. Key decisions were made regarding the use of median wage metrics, the inclusion of a 6-month interval for reporting, and the necessity of defining user personas for visualization development. Additionally, the group reviewed strategies for data quality management and accessibility requirements for the future dashboard.

The meeting commenced with roll call and agenda review, confirming quorum. Key discussions focused on project updates, indicating that raw data loading into Snowflake is complete and data linking is commencing, with all data providers having signed at least one data addenda. The parameters for the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), targeting January, are being developed, focusing on wage outcomes and program participation metrics. Updates from advisory groups detailed their roles in defining MVP metrics and conducting User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Finalization of remaining Phase One data sources, including National Student Clearinghouse (NSCH), Career and Technical Education (CTE), WIOA, and RAPIDS data, is underway. The Governing Board revisited its role and extensively discussed the development of the Education to Workforce (EW) research framework, which will guide research and data ingestion for two to three years, covering theoretical approaches, pathway analysis, outcome exploration, and equity analysis. The board agreed on an annual framework review and discussed stronger inclusion of Early Childhood Education (ECE). The meeting concluded with the required annual Open Meeting Training from the Attorney General's Office. Action items included reviewing the Research Framework and defining a process for stakeholder feedback.

The meeting focused on organizational changes within the Office of Information Technology (OIT), including the elimination of the Chief Data Office, and the subsequent reorganization placing the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) project under 'Data Programs and Strategy.' The group welcomed new members from the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE). Project status received a 'green light' regarding scope, schedule, and budget, with internal testing for Role-Based Access Control complete, and data ingestion progressing for RAPIDS and CTE data feeds, while legal stipulations for the CDE data sharing agreement are being finalized. Key discussion centered on User Experience (UX) focus group findings, which highlighted participant feedback on narrative elements, information overload in the current design, and the need for clearer metric definitions. The group recommended scenario-based testing for future iterations and supported an iterative 'Light to Launch' strategy for dashboard development.

The Governing Board meeting focused on the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS), which is scheduled for rebranding as COData (Colorado Data Connections). Key discussions included the project status, which is rated "green" and moving quickly, with the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) due in January for a summer public release. The board addressed the final push to secure remaining Phase One data, specifically for WIOA, RAPIDS, CTE, and the National Student Clearinghouse. Branding discussions reviewed three color options for the COData logo, deferring a vote until January to allow for designs closer to official state branding; the team confirmed using the one-word, space-free format "COData." Significant time was spent on the Research Framework, accepting several edits, notably replacing "prosperity" with language regarding "economic mobility and security" and refining the definition of Return on Investment (ROI). The board also discussed strengthening language to reflect Colorado-specific outcomes like work-based learning. The process for soliciting external feedback on the framework was revised, potentially shifting back by one month to accommodate final document revisions before sharing.