The Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC) is a partnership of the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS), Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, and other partners. BERC's mission is to conduct and disseminate long- and short-term strategic data analysis and research for the benefit of the children and families of Baltimore. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners recently approved a memorandum of understanding endorsing and guiding the establishment of BERC's organizational structure, leadership, data-sharing agreements, and research agenda. As BERC researchers study educational processes and students' outcomes, a long-term goal is to assemble a longitudinal database that combines BCPSS data with information about social services, vital statistics, and neighborhood context under the custodianship of other city or state agencies