Preparing for what the future holds means Kentuckians must better understand the realities of the world we live in. At the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) data summit, on Sept. 28 in Louisville, attendees will hear from the KYSTATS team and partners about what we have learned through our current data infrastructure, and what it could look like Beyond '23. Breakout sessions are described below. Click here to explore our keynote and general sessions. 

This is a free conference, and all are invited to attend. Registration is limited, and less than 50 seats remain, so register today! 

Using Data to Inform Business Leaders and Policymakers

Dr. Mike Clark, University of Kentucky

Government officials and business leaders must make difficult choices amid considerable uncertainty. This session will examine how analysts can use economic data to produce forecasts that help these decision-makers plan for the future and understand the impacts associated with the choices they must confront. 

Border-State Data Collaborations and the Multi-State Postsecondary Report 

Dr. Angie Tombari and Brian Mudrak, KYSTATS

Since 2020, KYSTATS has been working with the Coleridge Initiative and state agencies in Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee to explore the connection between employment outcomes associated with institutions, credential level, major group, specific major, student origin, and demographics across state borders. In this session, Dr. Angie Tombari and Brian Mudrak will discuss how (and why) we pursued this work, where we are currently in relation to cross-state data collaboration, and how we plan to expand upon this work.

Research on Short-Term Certificates in Kentucky 

Dr. Chuanyi Guo, University of Kentucky

The rising popularity of certificate programs dictates inquiry into the value proposition of short-term certificates; in this session, the findings will be discussed to add new information to improve our understanding of the costs and benefits of certificate programs, policy efforts, and human capital investments. This session will discuss how Kentucky administrative postsecondary education and workforce data are used to study the short-term certificates and to evaluate the labor market returns to these certificates. The discussion will also include future research projects that will leverage the Kentucky Longitudinal Data System (KLDS).

And We’re Here to Pump You Up: UK and KYSTATS’ Partnership to Build Evaluation Capacity

Dr. Carolyn Oldham, University of Kentucky, and Mindy Wilson, Kentucky Campus Compact

Evaluation, while perceived as overwhelming for those unfamiliar with its utility, in reality, presents limitless growth opportunities. Learn about the new, unique partnership between the University of Kentucky’s Evaluation Center and KYSTATS which promises to strengthen organizational capacity to produce and use evaluation to effectively support accountability and learning throughout the state. UK and KYSTATS are here to collaborate. Mindy Wilson, Program Manager for Kentucky Campus Compact, will share how this new partnership has added value to her organization and impacted Kentucky students and workers.

Data-Driven Broadband Expansion 

Tyler Campbell, Kentucky Rural Broadband Association

With $1.1 billion in federal infrastructure dollars coming to Kentucky for broadband, this session will discuss how new federal and state broadband maps will impact the future of broadband deployment in the Commonwealth.  

The Cost of Motherhood: How Kentucky Women Pay the Price  

Dr. Beth Kelly, KYSTATS

When examining differences in wages between groups, an often studied and cited phenomenon is the "gender wage gap," the difference in earnings between men and women. These inequities can often be exacerbated depending on educational attainment, race/ethnicity, and other factors. In this talk, we expand on this concept by exploring the influence of motherhood on employment and the pay gap, often referred to as the “motherhood penalty.” We will also contrast these data with fatherhood wages and what is referred to as the “fatherhood bonus.”

Tracing Out the Teacher Pipeline: Where Teacher Data are Now, and Where to Go Next   

Carolyn Tsao, Princeton University/KYSTATS

Teachers are one of the most important determinants of student academic achievement and non-cognitive development. So, how can educational data show us why people choose to become teachers, and what diverts them from that pathway? In this session, we discuss recent advances in teacher-specific data in the Kentucky Longitudinal Data System as well as data that educational systems could be collecting to better understand the teacher workforce of today and tomorrow.

Data Integration for Evaluation and Beyond   

Dr. Chris Bollinger, University of Kentucky

In this session, Dr. Bollinger will explore his current projects that utilize integrated data, including an evaluation of Code Louisville that integrates KYSTATS and KentuckianaWorks data. The project estimates the returns of Code Louisville, which was designed to provide participants with training in modern computer software development (coding). Dr. Bollinger will also discuss projects on lifecycle earnings, housing lock and mobility in Appalachia, and the persistence of income reporting errors. The discussion will also include information about the Kentucky Data Research Center, the Coleridge Initiative, and the Midwest Collaborative.  

Utilizing Workforce Data to Build Talent Pipelines    

Jacob McAndrews, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation

KYSTATS and the Kentucky Chamber Foundation have collaborated to create a dashboard showing outcomes for those employers and employees associated with Talent Pipeline Management (TPM®), an employer-led and demand-driven approach for businesses to create and manage talent ‘supply chains.’ During this session, Jacob McAndrews of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation will discuss how these data are used to build talent pipelines across the Commonwealth that fuel our workforce. 

The Power of the Kentucky Longitudinal Data System & Requesting KYSTATS Data    

Logan Rupard, Barrett Ross, and Kari Whitt, KYSTATS

This session will explore the capabilities of the Kentucky Longitudinal Data System by following a cohort of students from their student assessments through their high school graduation and into college and the workforce. The session will also explain how individuals can request data from KYSTATS and use it in their own research. 

Championing Education Data Use in Eastern Kentucky   

Dr. Rebecca Tucker, Partners for Rural Impact

This session offers a balcony-level overview of data-informed practices by Partners for Rural Impact (PRI), entwining Results Based Accountability and the Strive Together Theory of Action. Through real-world instances spanning Early Childhood and Postsecondary Success domains, this session spotlights the impact of our approach. A key partner in our accomplishments is KYSTATS, an indispensable collaborator, and this session showcases resources curated from KYSTATS' public reports. Join us in discovering how data, thoughtfully employed, can be the catalyst for reshaping the trajectories of rural youth. 

The Kentucky Human Capital and Higher Education Project  

Dr. Chris Ledford, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

This session explores how CPE and KYSTATS are leveraging their longitudinal data systems to create a comprehensive tool that investigates postsecondary opportunities in the Commonwealth. The Kentucky Human Capital and Higher Education Project integrates a variety of state and national data into a simple dashboard that paints economic, migration, accessibility, education, and workforce profiles for every county and area development district. The goal of this project is to create an accessible tool that will help state leaders understand Kentucky’s postsecondary successes and opportunities for improvement.