Concurrent Session IV Presentations

Thursday, July 18, 2013
9:00 am – 10:00 am

IV–C: A 360-Degree Training Model for Educators to Use and Appreciate Data

Sara Kock, South Dakota Department of Education
Christina Tydeman, Hawaii State Department of Education
Justin Katahira, University of Hawaii
Kamal Kumar and Bobby Hurley, Otis Educational Systems, Inc.

Many states implemented data warehouses with the ultimate hope that data will help districts, schools, and teachers improve student outcomes. The assumption that educators have the skills and confidence to use data is not always true. Panelists from South Dakota and Hawaii will discuss a holistic (or 360-degree) approach to data training that reaches future educators in teacher preparation programs, current teachers in the classroom, and administrators in district and school offices. Panelists will also discuss (1) a model framework for accomplishing these goals, (2) state experiences, (3) the concept of “data coaching,” and (4) plans for the future, while soliciting feedback from the audience.

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A 360-Degree Training Model for Educators to Use and Appreciate Data (241 KB)

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IV–D: Using Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Data to Improve Schools: The Use of "Statistical Peers" to Transform the Interpretation of Accountability Data

Dennis Kramer, Georgia Department of Education
Ryoko Yamaguchi, Plus Alpha Research and Consulting

The flexibility under Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) has created incentives for states to develop comprehensive next-generation accountability systems that move beyond traditional assessment data. This presentation will focus on using accountability data as a road map for school improvement by creating four types of comparisons: (1) state, (2) district, (3) statistical peers, and (4) school. The presenters will first describe methodological approaches to creating statistical peer groups using statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS) data. Second, the presenters will combine accountability and SLDS data with statistical peers—along with district and state data—to assist school leaders in establishing school improvement plans, identifying best practices, and communicating with stakeholders.

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Using Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Data to Improve Schools: The Use of "Statistical Peers" to Transform the Interpretation of Accountability Data (4.15 MB)

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IV–E: Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to Support the Syracuse City School District’s Strategic Plan

Ludgarda Simmonds and Brandan Keaveny, Syracuse City School District (New York)

The Syracuse City School District recognizes the potential for dramatic increase in our student achievement as reflected in our comprehensive strategic plan. This plan’s success relies on effective, data-driven decisionmaking (DDDM). Inspired by DDDM, a Geographic Information System (GIS) was introduced to assist with the implementation of this plan. This presentation will show how the GIS has been utilized in (1) data visualization (as part of data requirements for the Pathway to Success, GIS was used to monitor student K–12 performance towards college readiness) and (2) data-informed decisionmaking (GIS was used to map different data attributes to inform district decisions).

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IV–F: Data-Driven Policy—Michigan’s Information Ecosystem

Kristina Martin, Macomb Intermediate School District (Michigan)
Tom Howell, Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information

Learn how Michigan’s information ecosystem has been evolving. In this session, the presenters will highlight key areas of Michigan’s data portal and experience mandated reporting woven into Data Driven Policy. They will also explore the linkage to college and university data, who is stealing my students’ (funding), how has a school district environment changed, and the creation of an information ecosystem. Bring your own device to participate in this session.

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IV–G: More Alike Than Not? Postsecondary Thoughts on the Common Education Data Standards (CEDS)

Tanya Garcia and Hans L’Orange, State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO)

You might be surprised to hear that some postsecondary leaders consider Common Education Data Standards (CEDS) to be a great way to learn about K–12 elements and improve relationships with their K–12 partners. In this session, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association colleagues will share results from a series of recent interviews that gauged state and institutional leaders’ thoughts on CEDS. Topics include the value and benefits of CEDS to the postsecondary community, challenges and disadvantages to adoption, and suggestions for future elements. Participants are encouraged to actively participate by sharing their perspectives on the postsecondary elements as well as their experience collaborating with their postsecondary counterparts.

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IV–H: Data Governance of the Texas Student Data System Initiative (CANCELLED)

Melody Parrish, Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA’s) Texas Student Data System (TSDS) Data Governance has evolved into a consistent and collaborative process that includes advisory groups, decisionmaking committees, and governance boards made up of external users and TEA staff. All data collected by TEA must be reviewed via the TSDS data governance process. This process provides user oversight on how TEA collects legislatively mandated data from local education agencies (LEAs) and on any changes to data collected for the StudentGPS dashboards. In this session, TEA will provide an overview of the Texas data management processes, the structure of the Data Governance Committee, recommendations, and decisionmaking for change management and accountability for timely and high-quality data submissions.

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IV–I: Unique Identifiers: Possibilities Going Beyond K–12

Missy Cochenour, AEM Corporation
Leigh Ann Grant Engle, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Sarah Argue, Arkansas Research Center
Avisia Whitman, Minnesota Department of Education

This session will go beyond the technical conversation about unique identifiers and show participants the various methods of assigning unique identifiers to local programs, partner agencies, and public programs, including Head Start, Part C Early Intervention, and family programs. This presentation will discuss the process, the privacy issues, and promising practices shared by states working to provide identifiers to local programs.

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Unique Identifiers: Possibilities Going Beyond K–12 (1.69 MB)

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IV–J: Forum Guide to the Teacher-Student Data Link: A Technical Implementation Resource

Lee Rabbitt, Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

The National Forum on Education Statistics recently completed work on a new resource that will support local and state education agency staff in implementing the teacher-student data link (TSDL). Informed by prior TSDL-related work, the guide provides information on TSDL components, use cases, and strategies for overcoming TSDL implementation challenges, particularly at the local level. This session will focus on the development of the guide as well as its content, uses, and intended audience.

Download Zipped PowerPoint Presentation:

Forum Guide to the Teacher-Student Data Link: A Technical Implementation Resource (414 KB)

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