Using Administrative Data to Understand Workforce Experiences with the STEP Forward with Data Framework

Early learning leaders need comprehensive information about workforce members’ experiences to learn how to best support them and identify solutions to challenges they may face. Analyzing existing administrative or programmatic data (i.e., data they collect as part of program operations), along with non-programmatic information collected from workforce members, can provide context and insight into workforce members’ experiences within early childhood systems.

This resource focuses on questions from the STEP Forward with Data Framework (the Framework) that relate to the early learning workforce. It includes Framework questions that could be answered primarily with administrative data and identifies potential opportunities for primary data collection. In conjunction with the STEP Forward with Data Framework, this resource can be used by early learning leaders to understand what administrative data are already collected and what, if any, additional information would need to be obtained through primary data collection to better understand the experiences of early learning workforce members.