Data Skills for Congress

Good policy depends on good data, and lawmakers need foundational knowledge in order to unlock data for effective decision-making. This program offers Congressional staff training to improve their use of data and to create policies that ensure accurate, usable data flows within government.

Led by experts in government data systems, data policy, congressional data use, and data standards, this first-of-its-kind professional learning program provides participants with examples of how to use data in policy-making, how to turn data from spreadsheets into persuasive stories, and how to use legislation to unlock useful—and usable—data.

Students will leave the class with new skills in data analysis and visualization, familiarity with current and emerging federal data policies, an understanding of the challenges combining local and federal data, and a basic introduction to data practices within Congress.