Michigan Education Data Center

MEDC operates as a secure data clearinghouse and aims to help researchers use Michigan’s education data to answer critical questions that improve outcomes for students.
MEDC Site

About MEDC

The Michigan Education Data Center is one of four partners that make up the Michigan Education Research Institute. The partnership is a collaboration between U-M, Michigan State University, Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and the Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI), founded with the goal of supporting researchers to apply for and use Michigan’s education data to answer critical policy and program evaluation questions.

What we do

MEDC is a secure data clearinghouse that includes 19 different datasets tracking school enrollment, funding, assessments, coursework, graduation, and disciplinary records. Among the most comprehensive and unique databases are those reflecting postsecondary and early childhood information.

How we work

Michigan Education Data Center is committed to supporting researchers interested in using the State’s longitudinal data system. Our staff provide feedback and information in the application development stage, assisting researchers in matching their research interests to the State’s strategic priorities and understanding the data available. We work with other MERI partners to enhance data available to researchers and develop the Institute’s research agenda.

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Transformative upgrades to Michigan's longitudinal data system
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Transformative upgrades to Michigan's longitudinal data system

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MEDC shares it knowledge in a data-hungry world
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MEDC shares it knowledge in a data-hungry world

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Ford School welcomes local and state elected officials to boost collaborative work
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Ford School welcomes local and state elected officials to boost collaborative work

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Research Study

Evaluation of Michigan's Transitional Kindergarten Program

In partnership with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the research team is analyzing administrative education records to describe transitional kindergarten programming in Michigan (i.e. Young Fives) and to examine its impacts on children’s kindergarten readiness and K-3 outcomes. This study also has several connections to the COVID-19 crisis. All analyses will aid the state in identifying how to support children whose trajectories have been affected by the crisis.
Project Details
Elementary student wearing a mask outside of school
Research Study

Enrollment in Michigan's K-12 schools during COVID

This study aims to examine the extent to which COVID-19 has led to changes in the total number and composition of students enrolled in K-12 public schools in Michigan. The study team will use student-level data to better understand which specific types of students did not enroll or return in the fall of 2020. Separately, the research team will complement the Michigan data with nationally-representative data from Google Trends and the U.S. Census to place Michigan in the national context.
Project Details
Young child completing a written assignment
Research Study

Evaluation of Michigan's Read by Grade Three Law

Literacy knowledge and skills developed in the early elementary grades predict long-term literacy achievement, on-time graduation, and later-life outcomes. In recognizing the importance of establishing early literacy skills, there has been substantial instructional and policy attention given to reading proficiency in the elementary grades. In 2016, Michigan passed the Read by Grade Three Law (RBG3), which requires schools to identify learners who are struggling with reading and writing and to provide additional help.
Project Details

How many research projects does MEDC support?

81

Critical topics from Michigan’s education research agenda

How many states does MEDC deliver data to?

14

A national network conducting research in Michigan

How many dissertations have used data from MEDC?

17

Supporting researchers in each phase of their training

Who we are

Jasmina Camo-Biogradlija
Senior Project Manager

Jasmina Camo-Biogradlija

Jasmina Camo-Biogradlija is the senior project manager for the Education Policy Initiative. Jasmina serves as the liaison to state agencies and works with government and non-profit partners on identifying research priorities, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings. Prior to her work with EPI, Jasmina worked as a senior research associate focused on education and workforce with Public Policy Associates, Inc. in Lansing, MI. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and a PhD in education from Eastern Michigan University.
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Data Programmer

Qia Yang

Qia Yang is the data programmer at the Education Policy Initiative. His primary work is to maintain the Michigan Education Data Center, import data from the State of Michigan and export data to MERI researchers. He also optimizes the code in MEDC to make the workflow more precise and efficient. Prior to joining EPI, Qia worked in the biotech industry in Ann Arbor for 10 years. Outside of work, he likes all kinds of sports, especially playing tennis with his daughter.
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Senior Data Architect / Manager

Kyle Kwaiser

As the Senior Data Architect for the Michigan Education Data Center, Kyle's key focus is to keep the data and metadata flowing from the State of Michigan to MERI researchers. He supports the MEDC website, MEDC's research application portal, its data warehouse and the integration of all three. Outside of work, this builder ethos lends itself well to auto maintenance and home improvement projects. Cycling, skiing, soccer and kayaking are Kyle's activities of choice when time and weather allows.
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