Gov. Gavin Newsom announced seven new appointments on Friday, including four new appointments to the Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board.

Lande Ajose, Catalina Cifuentes, Gavin Payne, and Robert Tagorda were all appointed to a Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board. The board is made up of representatives of data providers and stakeholders that can track, interpret, and utilize the data collected by the system.

Each of the four appointees have held positions within the education system and are accepting no compensation to join the Governing Board.

According to the Cradle-to-Career Data System’s website, the governing board “would set the strategic direction and ensure that the system is supporting the state’s goals.”

“Two advisory boards would support the governing board, one to ensure that the system includes actionable data and the other to ensure that the intended audiences are aware of the data system and know how to use the information it provides,” per the data system’s website.

GovOps launched the Cradle-to-Career Data System earlier in 2021, creating a comprehensive program in which policymakers and other interested parties such as educators and parents can keep tabs on student progression and employment outcomes within the state.

In early 2021, the Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that the data system should seek to answer questions regarding the efficacy of various education programs and how they correlate to student success from early education to employment.

The Cradle-to-Career Data System has named some of its goals, including streamlining access to college applications, improving financial aid access, identifying structural factors that shape long-term education outcomes, and streamlining access to data.