ERC approves multiple data requests and 14 research proposals; board requires data-form and FERPA clarifications

The Education Research Center (ERC) board met June 12 and approved multiple supplemental-data requests, extension requests and 14 research proposals, voting to condition approvals on clarifications to remote-access forms, supplemental-data specifications and FERPA purpose statements.

Why it matters: the approvals grant researchers access to ERC-held student and institutional records used to evaluate Texas education policies and programs — including school turnaround efforts, HB 4545 tutoring mandates, dual‑credit and career‑technical education pathways, early‑childhood interventions, and studies tied to workforce outcomes. Board members repeatedly required clearer data dictionaries, limits on matching procedures and explicit FERPA exemption language before final release.

Most important actions and board direction

- The board approved a consent calendar of routine extensions and data requests and then took up specific supplemental data and new research projects. Several approvals were conditional: researchers were instructed to (1) revise remote-access forms to correctly list requested files, (2) supply required data dictionaries for supplemental files, and (3) tighten FERPA purpose statements to specify the exception being used (for example, “evaluation” or “studies and research”).

- On a technical data request (UTV170 / marriage records merge), staff and researchers debated whether the requested marriage-pair linkage could be performed without exposing identifiable information. ERC staff said current procedures require exact SSN, full name and date of birth for agency-to-agency matching; researchers offered alternative merges using Texas Birth Index records or a TA-created indicator showing whether a native-born student is married to an immigrant student. The board asked for a written supplemental-data procedure and data dictionary before reconsideration; the initial submission was declined and the board directed staff to work with the research team on a resubmission.

- GoodReason Houston (proposal CUH‑109) presented a school-turnaround study focused on Houston and…