The DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University has launched a redesigned digital transparency platform, FloridaOpenGov.com, that gives the public clearer access to Florida state and local government data. The updated site allows users to explore information on Florida’s K–12 education system, state and local payroll, and other public spending categories through interactive visuals and searchable datasets.
Florida Open Gov was developed by the Institute’s Data Analytics Group (DAG), a faculty-mentored and student-led team within FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. The redesign modernizes the layout and functionality of the platform to make complex data easier to interpret for policymakers, journalists, educators and citizens. All datasets are sourced directly from the Florida Department of Education and other state agencies to ensure accuracy and reliability.
“One of our goals moving forward with the revamp of the website is to build capacity for Florida teachers, parents and students to be able to tell compelling stories with the data in order to inform policy decisions within and across districts and schools,” said Crystal Taylor, director of research for the DeVoe L. Moore Institute at Florida State University.
The update reflects years of work by faculty mentors and successive student analytics teams to expand the scope of the platform, refine usability and improve visual clarity.
“New visualizations include District Grades Over Time, Free Lunch Rates vs. Grades, District Grades vs. Salary, District Enrollment Map, Graduation Rate By Special Category Map, and more,” said Alexis Staveski, Data Analytics Group Manager.
Key features include:
- Searchable datasets on education, payroll and spending.
- Interactive tableau charts and maps for easy comparison.
- Featured blogs depicting how data can inform policy.
“As part of our research internship, we believe that data and storytelling go hand in hand,” Taylor said. “Our data analytics interns not only pick up data cleaning and visualization skills, we also set expectations from the start that they have to be able to explain ‘What does this data mean for Floridians?’”
Visitors can explore the redesigned platform at floridaopengov.com.
About the DeVoe L. Moore Institute
The DeVoe L. Moore Institute is a public policy institute in the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy at Florida State University. The Institute studies how government policies, regulations and programs affect the economy and individuals, and its faculty-mentored and student-led Data Analytics Group works to improve government transparency by acquiring, cleaning and visualizing public data.