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Guide Decisions

State law directs the Center to use the MLDS to conduct research to improve the State’s education system and guide decision making by state and local governments, educational agencies, institutions, teachers, and other education professionals. All research and analysis that uses the MLDS must be consistent with the Governing Board’s Research Agenda (opens in new tab). The Center develops an Annual Research and Reporting Priorities (opens in new tab), which outlines the work the Center staff and the Research Branch will undertake during the current fiscal year. In addition, researchers (both from Maryland research institutions and nationally) may apply (opens in new tab) to use the MLDS for their research project – provided that the work provides information to help inform Maryland education policy. A list of ongoing projects can be found here (opens in new tab).

Center output (opens in new tab) comes in many different forms, including dashboards, Center reports, research reports and research presentations. The public may also make data requests (opens in new tab) if the content currently available does not address their needs.

Circular graphic with the text Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Services, Elementary and Secondary Education, Postsecondary Education, Adult Educationn and Workforce Training on the outer edge. Along the inner edge reads: Education, Service and Workforce outcomes, Program and Policy Evaluation, Methodological Inquireies, Supports and Barriers, Social Determinants, Equity and Inclusion, Pathways and Pipelines. Inside the circle are three smaller circles labelled Education, Services, Workforce, with an arrow pointed to the word Ouctomes.