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 A B C D F

Possible Report Math English Science History School Avg. Class Size   Math English Science History School Avg. Class Size Taft 19.0 22.0 25.0 Jefferson 23.0 28.0 24.0 Adams 20.0 23.5 26.0 Lincoln 21.5 26.5 Kennedy 25.5 Johnson 24.5 29.0

Possible Report

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 Hi Level Design Complete 5/30/09 Project Kickoff Regional Information Sessions Data Collection Pilot Release 3/1/10 Collaboration begins with Pilot Districts Statewide Collection 10/01/10 Pilot Data Loaded into DW Application Enhancements Completed Pilot Information Delivery Oct Sept Aug July June May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov April Development & Testing Completed 2010

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 Student Schedule EPIMS Staff Roster EPIMS Work Assignment Current Version with HQ Proposed EPIMS Work Assignment Modified Version with out HQ OR Modified HQT Information provided based on prior HQT reporting Remains the same New

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

SIF Zones Concepts Logical grouping of applications, agents, and ZIS Highly flexible and scalable District Zone State Zone Library Automation Food Services Student Information System Network Account Transportation Student Information System No predefined size or structure… specific to your implementation Grant Funding available for vertical agent development Other agents available for local systems

SIF Resources SIF Association 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? 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. Schools & Districts Regional Service Centers & States Policy Makers gain real time access to data for critical decision making. Reduction in the SIMS/EPIMS reporting burdens placed on districts. Vendors and Consultants 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 Regional Information Sessions SIF Pilot Release – Phase 1 District Grant Announcement Application Enhancements Completed Oct Sept Aug July June May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov April Development & Testing Completed 2010 SIF Architecture available SIF Pilot Release – Phase 2

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 Oct Sept Aug July June May Apr Mar Feb Jan Dec Nov April 2010 SIMS Expansion Development with Pilot Districts ESE/Vendor Conversations Pilot data to EDW Statewide Collection SIF Technology Grant Process SIF Architecture Collaboration & Pilot w/ Grant Districts Pilot Collection

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