Massachusetts, like other states, collects a great deal of data about young children and early education professionals. However, because this data is collected in multiple formats by several agencies, it is often overlapping, not easily accessible, and not optimally effective for program planning or policy. Further, families, providers, and administrators report that they spend excessive amounts of time completing duplicative forms from numerous sources without knowing their direct value. Finally, talented staff at government offices has neither the time nor resources needed to analyze or report all of the information that is, nevertheless, continually collected. More effective systems would address these challenges, enabling data to be a more potent tool for social change. Currently, there is no comprehensive state-wide system for collecting data on the 396,758 children under age five or the workforce that cares for them. In March 2004, a joint report issued by the Commissioners for Education, Public Health and Child Care Services recommended that the state "create an effective data collection system to inform policy program planning and development." However, planning or funding for such as system has not yet resulted from this recommendation. (author abstract)