What makes ECDataLab unique?

We combine multiple effective approaches across a specified timeframe so that teams make meaningful progress. 

ECDataLab launched in 2025 as an organization designed to provide people-centered support to early-childhood data leaders at state agencies through individualized coaching, and multi-state cohort-based learning to co-develop of responsive analytics to leverage knowledge across states. Instead of focusing on building a data system, ECDataLab focuses on supporting states in creating responsive analytics that leverage integrated data at various stages of technical development. Its mission is to help states advance early childhood programs and policies through the strategic use of integrated data systems—delivering actionable outcomes and building sustainable internal state capacity. 

This work builds on the foundation of ECDataWorks, which since 2016, has collaborated with states to strengthen their ability to use integrated data to inform policy and program decisions. 

Our Philosophy

  • We believe that having accurate, actionable data is key to building effective early childhood systems of delivery.  

  • We understand that there are challenges to building sustainable systems that integrate data from multiple sources and give decision-makers access to the data they need to shape policy and invest in programs. 

  • We accelerate the progress of state teams in using integrated data in ways that have long-term impact in supporting quality services for children and their families. 

Facilitated
Co-Development  

ECDataLab provides a space for staff across various state agencies to co-create responsive analytics. The labs are facilitated by technical, data science, and methodologists who have experience developing analytics using integrated data.

Expert
Coaching 

ECDataLab provides personalized coaching that helps state teams apply best practices directly to their early childhood data challenges, ensuring tailored solutions and skill development. The ECDataLab team guides state teams through challenges faced when integrating data. 

Cohort-Based
Learning 

ECDataLab hosts a series of structured cohort workshops where states share experiences, learn proven methodologies, and use tools to develop processes or content relevant to support their analytic work. 

Asynchronous Individual
Learning 

ECDataLab creates curated content to support individual learning, ensuring state team members of various educational and work experiences can meaningfully contribute to the analytic efforts happening in the state.  

ECDataLab combines multiple effective learning methods and builds communities that share development skills across government agency teams to efficiently create responsive analytics from integrated data.