Case Study: SLDS achieves 95%+ data linkage accuracy and better student outcome insights with Data Ladder

SLDS - Customer Case Study

SLDS, a statewide P‑20 longitudinal data system used by education leaders to drive data‑driven decision making, faced fragmented student and teacher records and limited match accuracy that constrained meaningful insight into student outcomes. To address this, SLDS engaged Data Ladder and deployed its DataMatch Enterprise record‑linkage and data‑cleansing software to create an integrated system and enable real‑time dashboards and analytics across K‑12 and postsecondary data.

Data Ladder’s enterprise solution significantly improved linkage accuracy over typical programs — reporting average linkage rates of about 95–97% versus industry norms near 85–90% — and demonstrated 5–12% more matches than leading competitors in studies. The improved matching delivered measurable impact for SLDS: in one sample, identified post‑secondary enrollment rose from 22% to 41% after using Data Ladder’s record linkage, enabling more reliable reporting and stronger data‑driven decisions.

SLDS