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 | 35 Elements |
| 2-Year Postsecondary Terms | #####_ps2_terms_YYYY_##.csv | 5 Elements |
| 2-Year Postsecondary Transcript | #####_ps2_transcript_YYYY_##.csv | 15 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 | 38 Elements |
| 4-Year Postsecondary Terms | #####_ps4_terms_YYYY_##.csv | 5 Elements |
| 4-Year Postsecondary Transcript | #####_ps4_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
| 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.
General
This area describes the data elements sent to, and collected from, the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) 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.
Scope
All students contained in the Student Match file provided to NDOL by NSWERS.
| File Specification | File Name | Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Student Match | ndol_student_YYYYMMDDHHMM_[FULL|UPDATE]-MATCHED.cs | 3 Elements |
| Workforce Unemployment Insurance | ndol_wf_uiwage_YYYYMMDDHHMM_[FULL|UPDATE].csv | 11 Elements |
| Where | Represents |
| YYYYMMDDHHMM | Date and timestamp |
Notes of Importance
- Where possible, historical values should be reported as they were provided during the original reporting term. If this is not possible, provide the value as it is currently stored in the 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.
Change Log
9/23/2022
2-Year Postsecondary Transcripts and 4-Year Postsecondary Transcripts – Added Grade Mode and Course Completion data elements.
K12 Students, Homeless Youth Indicator – Changed definition from Unaccompanied to eligible for Homeless Education services.
6/20/2022
Postsecondary Courses – Updated file definition for clarity.
2-Year Postsecondary Transcript, Course Credit Hours – Allowed for a -1.0 to identify continuing education courses.