The Colorado Department of Education undertook the establishment of an educational quality database that would contain the information necessary for measuring the effects of various efforts at educational improvement. Five major planning concerns had to be resolved before the database itself could be established. First, it was determined that methods were needed for monitoring student achievement and educational quality, for analyzing the effects of past reform efforts, and for projecting future needs and trends. Second, five levels of policy decision-making were identified: school, district, state, national, and international. Decisions at each level are affected by indicators of educational quality and by recognition of factors that influence educational quality. Third, a review of data currently being collected will permit streamlining present data collection processes and increasing the usefulness of the data gathered. Fourth, an adequate system for informing the public of assessment results and plans for change can be developed using printed reports, news conferences, and personal presentations. Fifth, the database development effort itself can provide benefits before the database is completed and in use. Information gathered in the process can inform the public and be used to support changes in policy, regulations, and legislation. An outline of Colorado's educational quality indicators and a summary of the state's Educational Quality Act of 1985 are appended. (PGD)