NCREL Policy Issues
Issue 15, January 2004
Policy Analysis
11. State Provision of Aggregated, Synthesized Information
NCLB reporting requirements are putting substantial pressure on districts and states to report a variety of data. During the next few years, this requirement likely will lead to an expansion of data-driven decision-making initiatives. Some of the seven states in the North Central region have taken promising steps in this direction. All of these states collect information from districts and make this information publicly available.
Illinois's ILEARN online tool allows comparisons of districts using financial data, and the Illinois School Improvement Web site allows comparisons of demographic and performance data. Other states have Web sites that provide accountability data, such as the Wisconsin's Information Network for Successful Schools Web site. Michigan's Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) collects and reports data about Michigan's K–12 public schools. CEPI also provides a number of reports used by local districts to assist them with data-based educational decision making. Ohio conducts a Biennial Education Technology Assessment, which gathers and reports technology accessibility and usage in its K–12 public schools, using online surveys for teachers, buildings, and districts. Ohio's annual Data Training Institutes help school personnel to analyze their own proficiency test data, operational data, and even teacher-generated data in depth.
Resources
Illinois ILEARN
206.166.105.128/ilearn/ASP/index.asp
Illinois School Improvement Web site
ilsi.isbe.net
Michigan Center for Educational
Performance and Information
www.michigan.gov/cepi/
Ohio Biennial Education Technology
Assessment
www1.osn.state.oh.us/beta/
Ohio Data Training Institutes
www.ode.state.oh.us/school_improvement/School_Leaders/Goals_Brochures/
DataManagementAnalysis.asp
Wisconsin's Information Network
for Successful Schools
www.dpi.state.wi.us/sig/
