Building and Using Longitudinal Data Systems for Effective Reporting and to Improve Student Achievement
A Field Trip — Washington, DC June 23-24, 2009
Issue Brief: Building and Using LDS for Effective Reporting and to Improve Student Achievement
Webcasts: Click here for the Webcast Presentations by Kansas and Massachusetts
Overview
The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) and the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) are hosting a learning exchange entitled, “Building and Using Longitudinal Data Systems for Effective Reporting and to Improve Student Achievement.” This learning exchange will provide state teams an opportunity to learn and share best practices needed to build a high-quality longitudinal data system such as data governance, data quality, and considerations of end user needs.
The trip was designed to provide participants an opportunity to hear perspectives from two showcase states, Massachusetts and Kansas, who have excelled at one of the critical elements involved in the building and use of longitudinal data systems. Participants also heard from national leaders on the critical importance of longitudinal data to inform policy decisions at all levels. Throughout the trip, state teams also had time to work collaboratively to address issues within their own states on building and using longitudinal data systems supported by our team of experts from national organizations.
This trip was part of a series of field trips for state policy leaders to learn more about high school redesign, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. AYPF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization that bridges youth policy, practice and research for professionals at the national, state, and local levels. The DQC is a national, collaborative effort to encourage and support state policymakers to improve the availability and use of high-quality education data to improve student achievement.
Purpose
The purpose of this trip was to expose state policy leaders to effective approaches and practices from which they take away concrete, practical lessons. The trip provided an overview of the current state of the nation regarding the development of state data systems. It gave state participants an opportunity to learn about the DQC’s 10 Essential Elements and 10 Action Steps for Effective Data Use, while also providing state teams an opportunity to assess their current data system status and create an action plan that addresses the gaps in their system capacity.
BACKGROUND MATERIAL on State Longitudinal Data Systems
This paper briefly explains the importance of longitudinal data systems and details the 10 Essential Elements of these systems that will be discussed throughout the field trip.
This paper focuses on the shift from building a longitudinal data system to using it effectively to promote a deeper understanding of student achievement by governors, policy leaders, teachers, and parents.
This site provides answers to the most basic questions about the importance and use of state longitudinal data systems.
This paper discusses the larger purpose of implementing effective Longitudinal Data Systems to help improve state economies and make sound policy decisions about the distribution of limited resources.
- Building and Using Longitudinal Data Systems for Effective Reporting and to Improve Student Achievement – Issue Brief
- Click here to view the Trip Agenda
- Learning Exchange and Resource Network (LEARN) Powerpoint Presentation
- Six Questions Your Governor May Want Answered Powerpoint Presentation
- The Value of Longitudinal Data Powerpoint Presentation
- Click here for the Kansas Presentation courtesy of Data Quality Campaign
- Click here for the Massachusetts Presentation courtesy of Data Quality Campaign
Jennifer Brown Lerner
Senior Director
American Youth Policy Forum
1836 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202.775.9731
jlerner@aypf.org
The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policy leaders, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels.
This field trip was made possible by generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.