ESE Data Initiatives District, School and Charter School Leaders Bob Bickerton, Associate Commissioner Jessica Perez-Rosello, CIO May 2009
Agenda Purpose of 2 New Data Initiatives SIMS Expansion SIF (Schools Interoperability Framework) Next Steps
Why? If we are going to continue to improve the education of students in Massachusetts we must have an expanded data set to help districts, educators and policy makers answer critical questions. In meeting this goal, we must find ways to provide efficient systems to collect and report a growing body of student and staff information.
The Missing Data Link SIMS = valuable student information EPIMS = valuable staffing and instructional settings (e.g., classes ) information What is missing: ability to better understand what is happening in the classroom at the student level ability to analyze the impact of investments from educator preparation to student instruction.
National Perspective Title IIA analysis requires reporting the rate of HQ educators teaching low-income students ARRA Fiscal Stabilization Funds Governors Assurances 19 States currently have the ability to link student and teacher data and analyze data at the classroom level Massachusetts is one step away from answers to key policy and program evaluation questions
Critical Unanswered Questions Which courses are students enrolled in? What is the effect of class size and teacher student load on student performance? What is the average class size in MA? What is the course completion rate and what grades/marks are awarded to students? How does this success relate to performance on other measures like MCAS, readiness for college and/or for work? Which instructional models (i.e. - curriculum, school schedules) are most successful? Which teacher preparation programs are most effective?
District Data Analysis Some districts are trying to do this level of analysis on their own with local data in the Education Data Warehouse This can require a substantial effort Benefits limited to one district at a time Analysis should be available for all districts to use
Possible Report MCAS Scaled Score and Grade Comparison Mrs. Johnson's 7th Grade Math Class 280 Grade 6 MCAS Math Scaled Score 270 260 250 240 230 220 210 200 A B C D F Grade 6 Math Mark
Possible Report Math English Science History School Avg. Class Size Avg. Class Size Avg. Class Size Avg. Class Size Taft 19.0 22.0 25.0 25.0 Jefferson 22.0 23.0 28.0 24.0 Adams 20.0 23.5 26.0 23.5 Lincoln 21.5 26.0 24.0 26.5 Kennedy 24.0 25.0 28.0 25.5 Johnson 24.5 25.0 29.0 24.0
100 90 80 70 60 50 Possible Report Percentage of Low-Income Students Being Taught by Highly Qualified Teachers Low-Income Non Low-Income Jefferson Adams Lincoln Kennedy Johnson State Washington Highly Qualified Percentage
Two Data Collection Initiatives to Support Decision Making SIMS Expansion collect student course information Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) new technology to reduce reporting burden
2009 2011 SIMS Expansion Project Add student course level information to the October 2010 SIMS collection Add the capability to also collect student completion and grades/marks in October 2011 Student and educator data will be linked in the Education Data Warehouse for data analysis Standard reports provided for district analysis
SIMS Expansion Project Timeline Project Kickoff Hi Level Design Complete 5/30/09 Development & Testing Completed Application Enhancements Completed Pilot Information Delivery April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Regional Information Sessions Collaboration begins with Pilot Districts 2010 Data Collection Pilot Release 3/1/10 Pilot Data Loaded into DW Statewide Collection 10/01/10
SIMS Expansion Goals Gather student course information in October 2010, course completion and grades/marks in SY 2011-2012 Load the information into the Education Warehouse providing valuable analytical tools Align the ESE data collection systems more closely with the LEA data systems Improve the collection method of HQT status to minimize reporting burden at the local level Additional EPIMS Collections Improve the coordination of SIMS / EPIMS data collection by establishing the District Data Coordinator role
One Proposed View of SIMS Expansion Project SIMS 52 Remains the same Student Schedule New EPIMS Staff Roster Remains the same EPIMS Work Assignment Current Version with HQ OR Proposed EPIMS Work Assignment Modified Version with out HQ New Modified HQT Information provided based on prior HQT reporting
SIMS Expansion Project Questions?
SIF Implementation
SIF Collection Effort Goals Introduce new technology Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) $6M USED Longitudinal Data Systems Grant Automate the delivery of data from districts to ESE Move towards a less labor intensive, more transactional data model Minimize district reporting burden
Long Range Vision to Minimize LEA Data Collection Efforts District systems are upgraded to be SIF compliant Department systems are able to automatically retrieve the required data elements from district (SIF) systems with less LEA staff time More timely data is organized and loaded into EDW for immediate use by teachers, school and district leaders, and ESE
What is the SIF Specification? Not a product, but a technical blueprint for pk-12 software. Document that defines accepted rules Describes the data (what) + infrastructure (how) Provides a complete set of rules from start to finish Manages data within the pk-12 environment Enables diverse applications to interact and share data
Logical grouping of applications, agents, and ZIS Highly flexible and scalable No predefined size or structure specific to your implementation Grant Funding available for vertical agent development Other agents available for local systems SIF Zones Concepts State Zone Network Account Transportation District Zone Student Information System Library Automation Food Services
SIF Association SIF Resources Non-profit organization Members include vendors, local school districts and state education organizations www.sifinfo.org. Schools FAQ - http://www.sifinfo.org/us/school-faq.asp. Vendor Information http://certification.sifinfo.org/cert_prodlist.tpl.
What are the Benefits of SIF? Schools & Districts Regional Service Centers & States Vendors and Consultants Student and Parent see improved timeliness of service and accurate school data across all systems. District IT Departments report a reduction in support costs and large cost savings by using existing applications and infrastructure. Policy Makers gain real time access to data for critical decision making. Reduction in the SIMS/EPIMS reporting burdens placed on districts. Developers recognize a decrease in development time and less tailored development. Sales and Marketing identify the formation of partnerships, international opportunities and greater response to the end user community.
Proposed SIF Project Timeline Hi Level Design Complete 9/30/09 Development & Testing Completed Application Enhancements Completed April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Regional Information Sessions District Grant Announcement 2010 SIF Pilot Release Phase 1 SIF Pilot Release Phase 2 SIF Architecture available
Summary Two Data Collection Initiatives SIMS Expansion Project underway Will impact all districts in October 2010 SIF Project to begin in May 2009 Grant opportunity for estimated 30 40 districts
Next Steps District Surveys Gather additional SIS and HR system information SIMS Expansion Pilot district volunteers Strongly recommend identifying a District Data Coordinator Available soon in Directory Administration ESE begin collaboration with Pilot Districts on SIMS Expansion Project ESE & Districts outreach to SIS and HR vendors
Summary Two Data Collection Initiatives 2010 April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct SIMS Expansion Development with Pilot Districts Pilot Collection Pilot data to EDW Statewide Collection SIF Technology Grant Process Collaboration & Pilot w/ Grant Districts SIF Architecture ESE/Vendor Conversations
Contact Information Jessica Perez-Rossello, CIO 781-338-6891 jperez-rossello@doe.mass.edu Helene Bettencourt, Manager of Data Collection 781-338-3639 hbettencourt@doe.mass.edu Maryann Donie, Data Collection Support Supervisor 781-338-6802 mdonie@doe.mass.edu