State Kicks Off Data Advisory Commission on Early Education and Care
BOSTON — This month, the Healey-Driscoll administration launched the Data Advisory Commission on Early Education and Care.
Established in the FY 2025 budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey, the commission is charged with making recommendations to improve the use of state, provider, and program-level data related to the cost, quality, and utilization of early education and care services. This includes a focus on the needs and capabilities of providers located in rural areas. Further, the commission will be analyzing high-impact, cost-effective data strategies for assessing the needs of families and children.
“I want families in every part of our state to be able to afford high-quality childcare, and at the hours and locations that make sense for them. We know that too many kids are on waitlists for a seat, and it is hard to find care,” Healey said. “The Data Advisory Commission is going to help us determine where the gaps are in access and affordability, and I look forward to seeing their recommendations.”
This new commission builds on the progress the agency has made to strengthen the data and research infrastructure and capacity at the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Over the last two years, EEC has built the agency’s first data and research division focused on collecting and analyzing data and leading research to inform policy decisions and improve programs and services. In October, EEC launched key-performance-indicator dashboards on its website, as well as the agency’s first research agenda and additional public-facing data sets and tools.
“We know that improving access to early education and care for all families in the communities in which they live, learn, and work is key to strengthening our economy and creating a more affordable and competitive state. And we know that good data is an important part of that,” Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler said. “I look forward to seeing the commission’s thoughtful, collaborative work and recommendations.”
Amy Kershaw, commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care, added that “launching the Data Advisory Commission is an important milestone for EEC and our new data analytics and research teams. We look forward to working in partnership with commissioner members to continue to build our data infrastructure and capacity to better understand the childcare experience and needs of children and families across the state.”