In response to the legislative mandate and the increasing need for timely and high-quality data by policymakers at various levels, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has initiated a number of actions, programs, and surveys to improve the amount and quality of education information. To improve the relevance of data, the NCES has instituted periodic reviews of the data system to identify data gaps. A systematic effort is also being made to obtain input from policymakers and practitioners in designing survey systems. To ensure data quality, the NCES has established formal standards for data quality. Another increasingly important mechanism is the National Cooperative Education Statistics System and Forum, which provides technical support for data collection efforts. Program and product reviews and evaluation studies also support data quality improvement. Strategies for disseminating NCES data include: (1) extended access to NCES data files; (2) user-friendly data files; (3) training seminars; (4) fellowship programs; (5) issue briefs and "Statistics in Brief" reports; and (6) the establishment of the National Data Resource Center. NCES data are much more accessible than they used to be, but the Center continues to searh for ways to improve data access. Two charts illustrate these processes. (Contains 4 references.) (SLD)