SLDS

Statewide Longitudinal Data
Systems Grant Program
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Grantee State - Pennsylvania

Websites:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Education
  • Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS)

2019 Grant Application

Strengthening PIMS Infrastructure to Expand Data Use Capacity

Start Date: 3/1/2020
End Date: 2/29/2024

Project Director: David Ream

Amount Awarded: $3,250,000

Project Abstract 115 KB

Major Outcomes:

  • Infrastructure Priority
    • Automate Data-Request Workflow.
      • PDE will develop a public-facing web application through which submitted data requests will enter an automated workflow system that DQO staff can use review/vet requests, manage communications, and monitor the status of data requests. This workflow will make the formal proposal and IRB process more efficient for both third-party researchers and PDE staff; will ensure that non-research data requests are fulfilled appropriately and in a timely manner; and will allow PDE to shorten response times and increase accuracy of data-request responses.
    • Create a Research Data Repository.
      • PDE will create new linkages within PIMS that pre-join some data and permit faster custom joins when needed. This will allow DQO staff to fulfill internal and external data requests much more quickly and accurately.
    • Advance Interagency Interoperability & Data Linking.
      • PDE will work to increase the long-term usefulness of its data by exploring a common interagency identifier and other interagency data linkages to help answer research questions beyond PDE’s immediate sphere and advance research goals statewide.

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2015 Grant Application

Expansion of Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS) Data Use

Start Date: 10/1/2015
End Date: 9/30/2022

Project Director: David Ream

Amount Awarded: $6,999,928

Project Abstract 47 KB

Major Outcomes:

  • Instructional Support
    • Expand the educator dashboard to be more usable, enhance its functionality and increase dashboard adoption by stakeholders.
    • Provide training to participating LEAs and have access to tools and professional support materials that assist them to better use data to support instructional decision-making.
  • Evaluation and Research
    • Implement the “One Stop Data Shop” to expand capacity for research and evaluation by creating more open and transparent access to education data overall. Establish a state research agenda, form collaborative research partnerships and increase internal capacity to conduct research.
    • Conduct evaluations and research providing data to answer key questions, thereby, improving policy implementation and decision making.

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2009-ARRA Grant Application

Pennsylvania Information Management Systems (PIMS)

Start Date: 7/1/2010
End Date: 6/30/2015

Project Director: Dave Ream

Amount Awarded: $14,284,020

Project Application 9.2 MB

Project Abstract 127 KB

Major Outcomes:

  • Connect to workforce data
  • Connect to Adult Basic Literacy Education (ABLE) data
  • Expand postsecondary database
  • Expand existing student and teacher data in the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS)
  • Link kindergarten assessment outcomes and demographic data in PIMS
  • Link PA Federal Head Start program data into Early Learning Network (ELN)
  • Implement eTranscripts and Electronic Student Record Exchange
  • Conduct feasibility and connectivity studies across all agencies and states
  • Establish rigorous data use policy and data audit plans, procedures and training
  • Ensure and enhance access to and use of data

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2009 Grant Application

Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS)

Start Date: 7/1/2009
End Date: 6/30/2013

Project Director: David Ream

Amount Awarded: $6,103,000

Project Application 4.7 MB

Project Abstract 103 KB

Major Outcomes:

  • Link PAsecureID and PIMS to Early Childhood Data Collection.
  • Implement eTranscripts and Electronic Student Record Exchange.
  • Continue Expansion of PIMS to Public Postsecondary Institutions.
  • Assign Unique Staff Identifier to PK-12 Non-Certified Professional and Paraprofessional Staff and Teacher’s Aides.
  • Develop Reporting for Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, Researchers, and Policy Makers.
  • Formalize Training for LEA Data Administrators.
  • Institutionalize LEA Data Analysis Capabilities.
  • Create LEA Data Quality Cultures.
  • Implement Data Access and Use Policy.
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2006 Grant Application

Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS)

Start Date: 3/1/2006
End Date: 2/28/2010

Amount Awarded: $4,008,875

Project Application 8.8 MB

Project Abstract 119 KB

Major Outcomes:

Systems Components
  • Unique state id.
  • Enterprise data architecture: statewide unique student record management system that will fulfill the data standards managed in the metadata facility.
  • Security and personalization: develop a SIF-enabled learning resource exchange. Assessment results will be managed in the data warehouse with reliable links to the state's academic standards and will enable future exchange of learning objects.
  • Vertical reporting: vertical reporting system that would replace all current data collections.
  • Data warehouse/marts: design and develop an initial data warehouse with data marts optimized to the four target audiences [Org Profiles, Class/Student Profiles, Research Access, EDEN Federal Report].
Policy and Implementation Components
  • Research to improve student achievement: create a secure repository of unidentifiable longitudinal, record-level student data in a data warehouse to support authenticated access by policy makers, researchers and educators.
  • Exchange of data K-12–HE: create synergy across its Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and its Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education by developing a common student level pK-16 identifier, giving Pennsylvania the ability to garner longitudinal data on students from early intervention and pK-16, through college and into the workforce. PDE also intends to participate in a multi-state effort to create a national transcript exchange.
  • Reports to stakeholders: create a data warehouse and set of data marts to support four critical constituencies: 1) USED and EDEN; 2) Educational Stakeholders; 3) Researchers and Analysts; and (4) Legislators and General Public.
  • Capacity to sustain: continue to expand its data systems awareness and capacity building initiatives, put in place the building blocks for LEA systems horizontal and vertical integration, and establish comprehensive communications, marketing and implementation plans.
  • FERPA: build on the security infrastructure that will be provided by COSSA and ensure all appropriate data is available only to authorized, authenticated users.
  • Evaluation criteria: Performance metrics and milestones tied to systems development and alignment, data quality and timeliness, teacher and administrator capacity building, stakeholder engagement and satisfaction, improved policy and decision making, and, ultimately, student performance will ensure the comprehensive communications, marketing and implementation plans have been effectively deployed.
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WDQI Grant Application

Project Application 303 KB