About Us
Nancy Smith is principal consultant with DataSmith Solutions, LLC assisting state, regional and national education organizations to improve the development and use of statewide longitudinal data systems. Prior to forming DataSmith Solutions, Nancy was director of Longitudinal Data Systems Initiatives at the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education. In this capacity she oversaw the SLDS Grant program, the development of Common Data Standards for a core subset of K-12 and postsecondary variables and participated in USED data initiatives. Prior to joining NCES, Nancy served as a consultant on longitudinal data systems to states, advocacy organizations and NCES. She was also a founding partner and deputy director of the Data Quality Campaign for four years. Nancy’s experience with longitudinal data goes back to her tenure at the Texas Education Agency from 1996 to 2001 and work with Just for the Kids/National Center for Educational Achievement. She earned her doctorate at The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 in Educational Psychology.
