On behalf of the SBFI (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation) and the EDK (cantons), educa.ch has compiled a report entitled “Data in Education - Data for Education”, containing principles and approaches towards the development of a data use policy for the Swiss education area. The report does not suggest a direct policy for data use but outlines the scope for action within which such a data use policy could be formulated. It provides the thematic overview required for this undertaking and thus helps further the debate on the use of educational data within the structures of the state education system. It addresses issues such as the legal foundations, the security aspects, interoperability and the possibilities of open data. Finally, the report formulates approaches towards the development of a practicable, nationwide framework for the use of educational data in Switzerland.