CCSSO, on behalf of states and territories, and U.S. Department of Defense join efforts on standardizing student military affiliation data

Washington, D.C. - The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today announced a joint effort with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and several state education leaders to convene a working group focused on standardizing student military data. The working group, known as Military Enlistment Data Access to Lift Student Success (MEDALS), is composed of military leaders, state education staff, and other state and federal data experts who create processes to evaluate student readiness related to a successful transition into the military. MEDALS will also create a standard process for states to access required data, while ensuring the development of data governance policies and the protection of student data in accordance with applicable privacy laws. This could include defining the specific outcomes that would apply across all military branches and setting a timeframe for which to measure those outcomes.

"The work being undertaken by the collaborative group of education, military, and data experts will greatly contribute to preparing young adults for meaningful military-service related opportunities available to them after high school," said HON Ronald T. Keohane, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. "Our ongoing collaboration will equip leaders with the insights necessary to position military service as an exciting and fulfilling career path."  

"Over the last several years, Washington has made incredible gains in recognizing and supporting our students' diverse postsecondary interests, pathways, and goals," said Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. "With access to the data showing which of our students enlist in the military after graduation, we will be better positioned to know how our services and supports for students are working. I am proud that Washington is on the forefront of this work, and I appreciate CCSSO and the Department of Defense for leading the effort."

In the 2024-2025 school year, 3.4 million students graduated from public high schools in the United States. Allowing state education agencies to connect their data with military affiliation information opens the door for states to accurately report post-high school outcomes for students who affiliate with the military, on par with college or workforce opportunities states already reported. This effort would also help states identify areas of improvement to ensure students are aware of the military as a career pathway and that they are successful if they choose it.

"Since 2015, Kansas has used a metric to measure the postsecondary success of our high school graduates. We appreciate the work of CCSSO and our military in working to see that states like Kansas will have access to our students who enlist and are in service of our country. By adding this data to state education records, we will get a complete picture of post-high school outcomes and use it to improve our education practices moving forward," said Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education.

More than 30 state and territorial leaders have expressed interest in a potential solution. The development of a model data -sharing agreement encompassing the statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) would allow state-specific enlistment and service data into their respective longitudinal data systems. These data systems currently maintain strong privacy protections while connecting student-level information with other sectors, including postsecondary education and the workforce.

"Measuring success after high school means having a complete picture of the goals for every student and the data to illustrate the accomplishments of Ohio's graduates," said Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. "The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is proud to join the MEDALS working group and make progress on this significant and historic endeavor to standardize student military enlistment data. Ohio is a leader in its support of military families and military-connected students, building bridges for service members to enter the classroom as educators, and celebrating students entering the military. Now, as we look to pinpoint graduates and their career trajectory in military service, we can further showcase the meaningful and rewarding ways Ohio graduates are contributing to the workforce and our nation."

CCSSO is pleased to facilitate these efforts and host the MEDALS working group. The working group's first meeting was June 2024. The goal is to establish a protocol and data-sharing agreement for the 2025-2026 academic year.

"CCSSO strongly supports the efforts of the MEDALS working group and our shared pursuit to ensure students are aware of a pathway to serve our nation," said Carissa Moffat Miller, CCSSO Chief Executive Officer. "This collaboration to standardize and measure successful pathways into the military will help state education agencies better prepare students for this future, if they choose it, while furthering the goal of ensuring post-high school success."

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The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.