Educational data systems, long relegated to as a low priority in school districts and states, are now set to receive $250 million in federal stimulus funding.
Educational experts and President Barack Obama’s new emphasis on data systems say that the increased funding means that it is time for states and districts to take the next step: figuring out how to use the information they collect on student performance to improve student achievement.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $250 million to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences for competitive grants for statewide data systems, not just for K-12 information, but also for higher education and workforce information. The department plans to award half that money in June or July, with the remainder in September and October.
Additionally, the stimulus legislation requires states to establish a statewide longitudinal data system and take steps to improve the collection of data as one of the four “assurances” governors must make when they apply for their share of the $53.6 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. The U.S. Education Department has recently issued guidelines that a state will not receive 33 percent of its full share until the department approves the state’s plan to meet the four assurances.
As noted in my previous posts on educational data systems, many states have much work to do to be able to track individual students’ educational progress in a way that can improve student achievement. There appears to be significant opportunities for collecting and analyzing data in developing strategic plans and evaluating current criteria in order to meet that goal. The Improve Group has worked with multiple clients on measuring student outcomes over time and I can see the demand for such work increasing in the future. Nevertheless, what criteria and methods should be considered? I would appreciate hearing from you on this subject.
Educational data systems, long relegated to as a low priority in school districts and states, are now set to receive $250 million in federal stimulus funding.
Educational experts and President Barack Obama’s new emphasis on data systems say that the increased funding means that it is time for states and districts to take the next step: figuring out how to use the information they collect on student performance to improve student achievement.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes $250 million to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences for competitive grants for statewide data systems, not just for K-12 information, but also for higher education and workforce information. The department plans to award half that money in June or July, with the remainder in September and October.
Additionally, the stimulus legislation requires states to establish a statewide longitudinal data system and take steps to improve the collection of data as one of the four “assurances” governors must make when they apply for their share of the $53.6 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund. The U.S. Education Department has recently issued guidelines that a state will not receive 33 percent of its full share until the department approves the state’s plan to meet the four assurances.
As noted in my previous posts on educational data systems, many states have much work to do to be able to track individual students’ educational progress in a way that can improve student achievement. There appears to be significant opportunities for collecting and analyzing data in developing strategic plans and evaluating current criteria in order to meet that goal. The Improve Group has worked with multiple clients on measuring student outcomes over time and I can see the demand for such work increasing in the future. Nevertheless, what criteria and methods should be considered? I would appreciate hearing from you on this subject.