Data Dictionary and Elements
This page describes the data elements collected by the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS). Valid values and data validation rules that can be performed prior to data submission are listed where appropriate.
Contact the NSWERS Helpdesk (help@nswers.org or 402-472-5238) for additional information regarding NSWERS data collections.
Data Element Names
The following syntax is used throughout this document when referencing data elements.
Format: *NSWERS Field Name [File Specification: Field Name (Field Number)] where:
- An asterisk (*) indicates the data element is a mandatory field. A non-blank or non-null value must be supplied in all mandatory fields for each record, or the data loading process will reject the record.
- For all other data elements (i.e., nonmandatory), use the decision tree to determine the appropriate value.
- NSWERS Field Name represents the name of the data element commonly used by the Nebraska Statewide Workforce & Educational Reporting System (NSWERS).
- File Specification indicates the formal name of the file specification.
- Field Name indicates the formal name of the field within the file specification.
- Field Number indicates the position of the field within the file specification.
Notes of Importance
- Where possible, provide values as they were collected during the reporting term. If this is not possible, provide the value as it is currently stored in the data system.
- Any values that contain a comma must be enclosed with double quotes.
- Data fields should be ordered in the same sequence as identified in this document.
- All files should be submitted in .csv format.
Decision Tree: Reporting for Nonmandatory Data Elements
Data Specifications
Scope
All students enrolled in a Nebraska public school district.
File Names
| File Specification | File Name | Elements |
|---|---|---|
| K12 Attendance | #####_k12_attendance_YYYY_##.csv | 6 Elements |
| K12 Career Education Programs | #####_k12_programs_YYYY_##.csv | 6 Elements |
| K12 Enrollment | #####_k12_enrollment_YYYY_##.csv | 8 Elements |
| K12 Staff Assignments | #####_k12_assignments_YYYY_##.csv | 9 Elements |
| K12 Staff Demographics | #####_k12_staff_YYYY_##.csv | 13 Elements |
| K12 Statewide Assessment | #####_k12_assessment_YYYY_##.csv | 11 Elements |
| K12 Student Course Records | #####_k12_courses_YYYY_##.csv | 13 Elements |
| K12 Students | #####_k12_students_YYYY_##.csv | 46 Elements |
| Where | Represents |
| ###### | Institution Identifier (i.e. “NDE”) |
| YYYY | Academic Year Ending |
| ## | Optional sequence Number |
Academic Year Ending
The academic year is understood as July 1 – June 30. Postsecondary data will be organized by academic year using Academic Year Ending. For example, the Academic Year Ending field for 2020 – 2021 will simply read: “2021”.
Notes of Importance
- Any values that contain a comma must be enclosed with quotes.
- Data fields should be ordered in the same sequence as identified in this document.
- All files should be submitted in .csv format.
Scope
All students enrolled in courses (for credit AND/OR noncredit) at the postsecondary institution for the academic year.
| File Specification | File Name | Elements |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Year Postsecondary Academic Awards | #####_ps2_aa_YYYY_##.csv | 5 Elements |
| 2-Year Postsecondary Courses | #####_ps2_courses_YYYY_##.csv | 12 Elements |
| 2-Year Postsecondary Enrollment | #####_ps2_enrollment_YYYY_##.csv | 34 Elements |
| 2-Year Postsecondary Terms | #####_ps2_terms_YYYY_##.csv | 5 Elements |
| 2-Year Postsecondary Transcript | #####_ps2_transcript_YYYY_##.csv | 13 Elements |
| Where | Represents |
| ###### | IPEDS Institution ID |
| YYYY | Academic Year Ending |
| ## | Optional sequence Number |
Academic Year Ending
The academic year is understood as July 1 – June 30. Postsecondary data will be organized by academic year using Academic Year Ending. For example, the Academic Year Ending field for 2020 – 2021 will simply read: “2021”.
IPEDS Institution ID
| 180902 | Central Community College |
| 181303 | Metropolitan Community College |
| 181312 | Mid-Plains Community College |
| 181765 | Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture |
| 181491 | Northeast Community College |
| 181640 | Southeast Community College |
| 181817 | Western Nebraska Community College |
Notes of Importance
- Any values that contain a comma must be enclosed with quotes.
- Data fields should be ordered in the same sequence as identified in this document.
- All files should be submitted in .csv format.
Scope
All students enrolled in courses (for credit AND/OR noncredit) at the postsecondary institution for the academic year.
| File Specification | File Name | Elements |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Year Postsecondary Academic Awards | #####_ps4_aa_YYYY_##.csv | 5 Elements |
| 4-Year Postsecondary Courses | #####_ps4_courses_YYYY_##.csv | 11 Elements |
| 4-Year Postsecondary Enrollment | #####_ps4_enrollment_YYYY_##.csv | 35 Elements |
| 4-Year Postsecondary Terms | #####_ps4_terms_YYYY_##.csv | 5 Elements |
| 4-Year Postsecondary Transcript | #####_ps4_transcript_YYYY_##.csv | 11 Elements |
| Where | Represents |
| ###### | IPEDS Institution ID |
| YYYY | Academic Year Ending |
| ## | Optional sequence Number |
Academic Year Ending
The academic year is understood as July 1 – June 30. Postsecondary data will be organized by academic year using Academic Year Ending. For example, the Academic Year Ending field for 2020 – 2021 will simply read: “2021”.
IPEDS Institution ID
| 180948 | Chadron State College |
| 181534 | Peru State College |
| 181783 | Wayne State College |
| 181215 | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
| 181464 | University of Nebraska – Lincoln |
| 181428 | University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| 181394 | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
Notes of Importance
- Any values that contain a comma must be enclosed with quotes.
- Data fields should be ordered in the same sequence as identified in this document.
- All files should be submitted in .csv format.
Scope
All persons appearing in the Nebraska Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance, Wagner-Peyser, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act program databases.
File Names
| File Specification | File Name | Elements |
| Workforce Unemployment Insurance | ######_wf_ui_YYYYMMDDHHMM.zzz | |
| Workforce Wagner-Peyser | ######_wf_wioa_YYYYMMDDHHMM.zzz | |
| Workforce WIOA | ######_wf_wp_YYYYMMDDHHMM.zzz |
| Where | Represents |
| ###### | NSWERS-Assigned Institution Code |
| YYYYMMDDHHMM | Date and timestamp |
| zzz | One of the following:
|