This interactive webinar is designed for ADRF users and will explore ways AI tools are being used to enhance their work.

Join the ADRF User Community from 12:00-1:00 pm ET on November 13 for an interactive webinar exploring how data professionals use AI tools to enhance their daily work. The event will be led by Ekaterina Levitskaya, Senior Data Scientist. The event will open with a live poll asking participants how they currently use AI, followed by a discussion on effective and responsible collaboration with these tools. What to Expect: Short demos of common AI use cases in data analysis and coding Insights from experienced practitioners on best practices and cautions for working with AI responsibly in data settings Overview of AI implementation at Coleridge Open discussion on participants’ experiences, challenges, and AI policies in their organizations Whether you’re an experienced AI user or just curious about integrating it into your workflow, this webinar offers an open and collaborative space to share ideas and learn from peers. Should you have questions about the webinar, please contact community@coleridgeinitiative.org  Register here: https://coleridgeinitiative-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/9cbLZxDhTfW-SpB8O6GMzA

The Coleridge Initiative will deliver a fully subsidized Applied Data Analytics training program focused on education-to-workforce transitions to investigate if students are graduating from high school on time and successfully transitioning into further education, training, or employment. This training is being developed in partnership with the State of New Jersey, and with Mathematica, developers of the Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework (E-W Framework). The effort is generously supported by the Gates Foundation.

Application Deadline: November 7, 2025 Empowering States to Strengthen SLDS Insights and Workforce Pathways The Coleridge Initiative invites state agency staff, academic researchers, and other SLDS and integrated data system partners to apply for a fully funded applied data analytics training program focused on improving education-to-workforce outcomes. This project-based experience helps build practical skills, provides opportunities for cross-agency collaboration, and results in insights that build capacity to explore education-to-workforce transitions using your own state’s data infrastructure. This training is being developed in partnership with the State of New Jersey, and with Mathematica, developers of the Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework (E-W Framework). The effort is generously supported by the Gates Foundation. What You’ll Do Conduct Research in a Secure, Supported Environment Collaborate on a team-based research project by accessing restricted-use, linked, multi-agency administrative data inside the FedRAMP-certified Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) platform. You’ll investigate variations in outcomes and generate actionable insights through policy-relevant analysis grounded in education and workforce data. Use a Proven Framework to Guide Your Analysis Apply the Education-to-Workforce Indicator Framework to identify key indicators and metrics that matter for policy and practice. Bring Methods and Findings Back to Your Agency or System Leverage the methods and questions you explore during this training to data from your own state. Many teams use the training to prototype analyses, refine cross-agency workflows, and identify metrics they can replicate or adapt at home.   What It’s Like You’ll collaborate in a small team to design and complete a research project that explores a question aligned with the course themes and your professional interests. Teams will have access to New Jersey’s micro-data through Coleridge’s ADRF platform, using it to answer meaningful questions about education-to-workforce transitions. The training includes weekly lectures from subject matter experts and guided project work, with a total time commitment of 3–5 hours per week. Each session is structured to support the skills you want to build and apply directly in your day-to-day work. Application Information You’re welcome to apply as an individual or as part of a team, but priority will be given to team submissions, especially those representing cross-agency collaborations. Accommodations for individual participants or state teams unable to meet the requirements are encouraged to email training@coleridgeinitiative.org, noting their interest. Applying as a Team States benefit most when they send a team of 4–6 participants from multiple agencies or partner organizations, such as university-based researchers or others who support your state’s multi-agency data efforts. Your group should include a mix of policy, research, and technical expertise. Two or more team members should have programming or analytic skills, ideally in R and/or SQL, to support the hands-on data work. Teams are also encouraged to designate a team lead embedded within their state. The team lead plays a light-touch coordination role—helping guide the team’s project work and serving as the main point of contact with Coleridge Initiative staff. Team leads must submit a resume/CV. Teams submit a single application. As part of the application, the following information will need to be provided for each applicant: A recent resume or CV, a LinkedIn profile link is also acceptable Supervisor name and contact information (required for setting up any needed NDAs related to data access) Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to complete team submissions with a designated team lead. All other applications will be considered in the order they are received.   Key Dates November 7, 2025: Applications Due December 2, 2025: Kick-Off December 9, 2025: Tech Orientation January 6 - April 7, 2026: Live, Online Class Sessions on Tuesdays, 2-4 pm ET  April 14, 2026: Final Presentations   

This interactive webinar is designed for ADRF users and will highlight current and new PASS Portal features. It will also demonstrate how to share feedback via the portal and gather ideas for fixes and new features in real time.

We invite you to attend a webinar demo for PASS Portal: User Engagement and Feedback on September 18, from 12:00-1:00 pm ET. The webinar will allow you to: 1) Explore current PASS Portal features and preview the new Export Module  2) Learn how to submit feedback on suggested fixes and new features  3) Share your feedback to guide improvements and enhancements in real time PASS Portal Demonstration The PASS Portal allows users to launch and manage projects in one place. In this session, we’ll demonstrate features that simplify access, safety, and collaboration including:  Existing features Navigation overview (projects, users, agreements, datasets, tasks, and usage views) Project setup & provisioning Dataset tracking User access and management New feature Export Module Your Feedback Matters We are continuously working to enhance the PASS Portal. As users, you understand what fixes and features can help improve it. During the second half of the webinar, we will show how to submit feedback directly through the PASS Portal and listen to your suggestions for fixes and new features in real time. Come prepared to: Tell us what’s missing or confusing.  Share examples such as a great data dictionary. This is your chance to help shape a world-class system! Have questions about the webinar, contact community@coleridgeinitiative.org  Register here: https://coleridgeinitiative-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e0H0bj8gSxSjJcQYnalw9w

The Coleridge Initiative will deliver four fully subsidized Applied Data Analytics training programs for state government employees and their partners focused on education pathways between high school, college, and the workforce, and evaluating the intermediate and long-term outcomes associated with these pathways. The classes will be developed in partnership with the State of New Jersey, using the New Jersey Statewide Data System, and are supported by the Walton Family Foundation and the Gates Foundation.

Application Deadline Extended to June 6, 2025 Watch the recording of the Introductory Webinar to learn more about the classes. Overview The Coleridge Initiative will deliver four fully subsidized Applied Data Analytics training programs for state government employees and their partners focused on education pathways between high school, college, and the workforce, and evaluating the intermediate and long-term outcomes associated with these pathways. The classes will be developed in partnership with the State of New Jersey, using the New Jersey Statewide Data System, and are sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Accepted class participants will learn and apply data analytic approaches such as record linkage, measurement creation, and data visualization to restricted-use linked K-12, postsecondary, and workforce data provided by the State of New Jersey and accessed inside the Coleridge Initiative’s award-winning Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). Prospective participants are expected to apply as project teams (more in the following section), and should not plan on providing their own data as part of the training. The first two programs will begin on June 10, 2025, and the latter two will begin on July 9, 2025. The courses are designed with the understanding that it is difficult for state agency staff to make time for professional development, and participants are expected to devote no more than 2 to 4 hours a week to the endeavor. More information on the schedule is available below. Application Information State teams should consist of four to six participants, with at least two having strong programming skills (ideally in R and/or SQL). Teams should feature participants from multiple state agencies or partners, and priority will be given to teams that apply with a designated team lead embedded within the work capable of facilitating team discussions and overseeing and guiding the project development—we believe this setup will contribute to further advancement of the work following the completion of the training. The team lead does not count as one of the 4-6 members of the participating team. Accommodations for individual participants or state teams unable to meet the requirements are encouraged to email training@coleridgeinitiative.org noting their interest. Teams only need to submit one application. As part of the application, the following information will need to be provided for each applicant: A recent resume or CV. A statement describing how their participation supports their professional development. A statement from their supervisor describing how participation will support their organization in the near and long-term future and confirming that they will be able to dedicate sufficient time to the training. Team leads will need to provide a recent resume or CV and a personal statement describing why they are well-suited to support the work as a team lead. All personal and supervisor statements should be no longer than one page. Teams will also be asked to indicate a preference for the class they would like the team to attend, and can respond with “no preference.” The deadline to submit applications is June 6, 2025. Schedule Class sessions will occur at most once a week, with breaks for federal holidays. Classes 1-4 will contain the same content. Please choose the class series that works best with your schedule. Classes 1 and 2: June 10 - November 18 Classes 1 and 2 Kickoff: June 10, 1:00 PM (1 hour) Module 1, Foundations of Data and Technical Literacy: June 17, 24 and July 1, 8 (1 hour each) at 1:00 PM. Module 2: July 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 9, 16, 23, 30, and October 7 (2 hours each). Classes occur from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM or 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, depending on class selection 1 or 2. Self-Paced Project Work with Team: October 8-November 4 Final presentations: November 18 Classes 3 and 4: July 9 - December 3 Classes 3 and 4 Kickoff: July 9, 1:00 PM (1 hour) Module 1, Foundations of Data and Technical Literacy: July 16, 23, 30, and August 6 (1 hour each) at 1:00 PM. Module 2: August 13, 20, 27, September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and November 5 (2 hours each). Classes occur from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM or 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, depending on class selection 3 or 4. Self-Paced Project Work with Team: November 6-December 2 Final presentations: December 3

Collaboration is essential to impactful research. Join Coleridge Initiative leaders for an interactive meeting on June 4, from 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET, to learn about tools available in the ADRF to accelerate working together and increase efficiency. This session is designed for current ADRF users and will highlight built-in collaboration tools available within the ADRF, share practical tips for working efficiently with partners across agencies and institutions, and offer guidance on maximizing research coordination in a secure environment.

A platform for users to collaborate, shape ADRF improvements, and foster a community of practice by: Sharing Knowledge – Building community events and a resource hub to support common best practices.  Problem-Solving – Identifying and resolving data or technology challenges. Enhancing ADRF – Providing user-driven feedback to improve features and services. About The Coding Best Practices Series: Effective data analysis requires both a strong understanding of the programming language needed to complete the analysis and adherence to coding best practices that ensure efficiency, scalability, and maintainability. In these series, we will delve into the essential best practices for coding in modern data analysis, with a specific focus on the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). The series will offer insights on how to optimize coding practices to make data accessible and understandable for policymakers. From code modernization efforts to enhancing the user experience for ADRF users, we will explore various strategies to improve the utilization of the platform. Materials from the previous online community events (Coding in R, RStudio, version control in Git and Coding in SQL, DBeaver, and memory management) are available inside the ADRF. Examples of coding best practices reference materials include: Video on creating database diagram in DBeaver Writing robust code and organizing code checklist Video on creating R package with functions, testing, automated documentation Video on using code snippets in RStudio OpenAI API code in Python Coding best practices for modern data analysis (recording, slide deck) Coding in R/RStudio and version control in Git (recording, slide deck, resources) Coding in SQL, DBeaver, and memory management (recording, slide deck, resources) Please reach out to community@coleridgeinitiative.org for more information about accessing these materials.

The Coleridge Initiative will deliver four fully subsidized Applied Data Analytics training programs for state government employees and their partners focused on education pathways between high school, college, and the workforce, and evaluating the intermediate and long-term outcomes associated with these pathways.

The Coleridge Initiative will deliver four fully subsidized Applied Data Analytics training programs for state government employees and their partners focused on education pathways between high school, college, and the workforce, and evaluating the intermediate and long-term outcomes associated with these pathways. The classes, each of which will feature the same content on different days and time slots, will be developed in partnership with the State of New Jersey, using the New Jersey Statewide Data System, and will feature the state’s restricted-use linked K-12, postsecondary, and workforce data. In this webinar, attendees will learn more about this opportunity and the application process.

Join us for the 5th Annual National Convening in Arlington, VA, on March 26–28*, 2025. Registration is now open—secure your spot today to explore data-driven solutions and strategic partnerships that shape public policy. Early bird pricing ends February 10th. Government employees attend free..

In today’s data-driven world, the successful design of government policies and practices relies heavily on strategic collaboration between data partners. Coleridge Initiative’s Annual Convenings are designed to showcase the transformative potential of leveraging administrative data through state, federal, and private collaborations. As we celebrate the 5th Anniversary of this convening, we will highlight how strategic partnerships across state, federal, and private sectors are unlocking the potential of administrative data to drive meaningful change in public policy.  Some of the highly anticipated sessions include: Keynote Address by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody’s Empowering Collaboration across the Public and Private Sectors Empowering Data Innovation to Drive Opportunity and Access in Higher Education Unlocking Responsible Artificial Intelligence Uses with State and Federal Data Collaborating on Best Practices for Data Sharing, Governance, and Infrastructure Sessions highlighting recent work within the DDC, ADA Training, ADRF User Community and MSDC RFI projects are also included in the agenda Multi-State Data Collaborative Partners Only (MSDC): The Multistate Data Collaborative annual meeting will begin Thursday afternoon, March 27th into Friday morning, March 28th We invite you to join us for this exciting event and discover how we can work together to leverage data for the public good. *Note that the afternoon of March 27th and the morning of March 28th will be dedicated to focused meetings with partners in the MSDC. The MSDC Annual Meeting is exclusively for participating or interested state agencies and their policy research partners.

The R Programming: Basic course will provide participants with fundamental knowledge of the R programming language for working with multiple types of data, reproducible research, data manipulation, and reporting.

Participants in the course will have the opportunity to explore synthetic microdata, based on commonly used administrative data, using the Rstudio development environment and tools from the tidyverse suite of R packages within the ADRF secure data environment. Topics include R data types and their manipulation using the tidyverse, project usage, data management, and using R for reporting and constructing publication-quality output and reports. Upon completion of this short course, participants will have exposure and experience with core elements of the R programming language, and experience using R for fundamental data analysis and reporting tasks, preparing them for more advanced coursework in applied data analytics. Tuition for this course is $1,000. This course is only available to applicants in the United States. This course has no prerequisites and is offered 2-3 times per year. The next course will begin January 24, 2025, with classes meeting on Fridays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST and optional office hours on Mondays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST.

The Advanced Data Visualization course will provide participants with advanced tools for the creation of data visualizations using the R programming language.

Participants in the course will have the opportunity to explore confidential microdata using the Rstudio development environment and tools from the tidyverse suite of R packages within the ADRF secure data environment. Topics include customization of ggplot objects, advanced visualization techniques and geometries, mapping of spatial data, creation of animations and interactive plots, and an introduction to Shiny apps. Upon completion of this short course, participants will be able to produce customized visualizations of a variety of different data types, as well as interactive visualization tools. Tuition for this course is $1,000. This course is only available to applicants in the United States. The prerequisite for this course is Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization. This course is offered 1-2 times per year. The next class will be held on October 18 - November 15, 2024, with classes meeting on Fridays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST and optional office hours on Mondays from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EST.

Join the Coleridge Initiative and the Multi-State Data Collaborative on October 2nd, 2024 at 1 PM ET to learn more about the Democratizing our Data Challenge Round 3 opportunity and how to apply.

The successful design of government policies and practices relies heavily on strategic collaboration between data partners. The Coleridge Initiative’s Democratizing our Data Challenge has enabled the collaboration of multi-partner teams from across the United States to expand existing data products developed in the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) and develop new data linkages, dashboards, portals, APIs, data models, and code repositories. Through the Challenge, we have gained invaluable insights and experience in data-sharing agreements, multi-partner collaboration, secure technology, data governance and compliance, and data infrastructures. In this webinar session, we will provide an overview of the Democratizing our Data Challenge and discuss how to apply for Round 3 of the Challenge.