Germany is a federal country, with education managed at the state level, meaning there is no nationwide EMIS. While basic statistics, such as enrollment and graduation rates by school type, exist (Autor:innengruppe Bildungsberichterstattung, 2024), integrating these data is challenging due to variations in school structures and terminology across states (Steinmann & Strietholt, 2024). There is no comprehensive nationwide data on process quality or learning outcomes from achievement tests covering all schools or students, preventing analyses at these levels. Such data is only available at the state level. While many states either lack an EMIS entirely or collect only limited, unprocessed data, Hamburg has the most advanced system in Germany. The Institute for Educational Monitoring and Quality Development (IfBQ) oversees Hamburg’s EMIS, which is designed to monitor and improve educational quality. Data Collection and Scope The EMIS in Hamburg consolidates student demographics, academic performance, school characteristics, and teacher information (Behörde für Schule und Berufsbildung, 2023). A key component is the mandatory KERMIT assessments administrated in various grades and domains. Additionally, early language screening at 4.5 years assesses German proficiency, ensuring early identification of language support needs. Further data comes from annual school inspections, where inspectors evaluate a sample of schools each year to assess educational quality and policy implementation. Since the late 1990s, Hamburg has also conducted two major longitudinal studies—LAU (Longitudinal Study of Academic Development in Lower Secondary Education) and KESS(Competence Development in Secondary Schools). These studies provide long-term insights into student progress, educational trajectories, and school effectiveness. Access and Data Security Access to EMIS data is managed within a secure framework to ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Researchers can apply for anonymized datasets, which are provided through secure protocols to protect individual privacy while enabling meaningful research and policy analysis. Each application undergoes a feasibility review before access is granted. Use of Data The Hamburg EMIS plays a critical role in supporting schools and teachers by providing data-driven insights to improve instruction and student learning. Schools with disadvantaged student populations benefit from additional resources, including smaller class sizes and targeted support, ensuring greater educational equity. EMIS data is used to providing evidence-based recommendations that inform strategic decisions in educational policy and reform. EMIS data is also available for external researchers, offering a unique opportunity to study education system dynamics. Although applications undergo a feasibility review, the dataset remains underutilized, presenting potential for further academic and policy research.

Autor:innengruppe Bildungsberichterstattung (2024). Bildung in Deutschland 2024. Ein indikatorengestützter Bericht mit einer Analyse zu beruflicher Bildung. wbv Publikation. Behörde für Schule und Berufsbildung (Ed) (2023). Bildungsbericht Hamburg 2023. Waxmann: Münster, New York . Steinmann, I., & Strietholt, R. (2024). Die (Ent-) Gliederung des deutschen Schulsystems zwischen 1992 und 2020 in Zahlen. Zeitschrift für Pädagogik, (6).