How the heck do we contact some of our former students? Rhode Island’s Experience

Data Collection in Rhody State operates data collection –Census approach – small state small districts –Common student identifier –Connected to all special education data collection

Data Collection in Rhody Leaver list generated by districts in SE census –Has improved data on school leavers –District and state have access to the list District appoints a point person each year –Assign surveys to case managers (avg. 2-3 per) Provide on-line training a beginning of period –Training is archived for users Share districts response and completion rates with the challenge to improve –Results shared publically – embarrass districts into participating

Improving Contacts Data now on state IEP form –Student & Parent name, address, cell phone and addresses which is also accessible in the SE census Districts have access to leaver list at all times so they may notify students before school exit Rallying the troops –Annual reviews of data and contact with the districts Continuous monitoring during data collection –Directly contacting districts if data is not coming into the system in a timely manner Improvement in response and engagement rates included as a question in districts consolidated federal funds application

Federal Funding Application

Rhody Conclusions Emphasis on –District level data collection –District level accountability –District level strategies for improvement Rates improving –51% –54%

J. David Sienko Rhode Island Department of Education