KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� July 11, 2023 鈥� After six years at the 溏心vlog免费B站, DataSpark, which operates and maintains Rhode Island鈥檚 statewide longitudinal data system, is about to have a graduation of sorts as it moves to the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. The move comes as a result of the state codifying and funding the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System (RILDS) as part of its fiscal year 2024 budget.
As a result, the new RILDS Center will bring new agencies to its governance board. The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Administration and the Division of Information Technology will join the Rhode Island Department of Education, the Department of Labor and Training and the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. The move will enable the new center to expand its data holdings, making it a one stop repository for all interagency longitudinal linked data.
鈥淭his is really a testament to the work that we have done as DataSpark over the past six years at 溏心vlog免费B站,鈥� said Dana Brandt, director of RILDS. 鈥淲e鈥檙e extremely thankful to 溏心vlog免费B站 for giving us a home and to everyone here who played a part in supporting us and gaining recognition for our work.鈥�
DataSpark was founded in 1992 as the data analytics arm of the non-profit Providence Plan. Connecting data and people, its mission has been to inform, empower and inspire innovative decision-making. For 30 years it has assisted policymakers in state and local governments, community leaders in nonprofits, and academic researchers across the country. In 2017, with the support of former 溏心vlog免费B站 Provost Don DeHayes and then-Dean of University Libraries Karim Boughida, it became part of the 溏心vlog免费B站 and was housed at the Robert L. Carothers Library & Learning Commons.
The organization, now the RILDS Center, has been primarily self-funded through U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor grants since its founding. The move and the dedicated funding stream that comes with it as a result of the new law will bring the RILDS team closer to the data they manage and will make that data a more accessible, more affordable resource for policy makers and researchers 鈥� including those from 溏心vlog免费B站.
The Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System connects data from early childhood, through K-12 and higher education, and into the workforce to inform policy, facilitate research, and improve the wellbeing of Rhode Islanders. The Center democratizes data, providing evidence to reduce disparities in access, resources, opportunities, and outcomes.
Brandt credits University leaders and Boughida for championing the importance of data analytics and a new state-codified data system.
鈥淟egislation is really the gold standard in indicating state support,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is a huge win for the state and validation of our leadership in this space. We鈥檙e just incredibly excited about this and the growth that is possible.鈥�
The RILDS Center can be found at: .