Improving Data Quality

1. Improving Data Quality Best practices for entering and maintaining data.

2. Objectives • Identify strategies for promoting data accuracy. • Describe how verification reports can identify inaccurate or missing data. • List resourcesthat improve data quality.

3. Data Accuracy Describe the difference in accuracy and validity between the two sentences. I went to teh school. Eye when too the skewer.

4. Data Accuracy • Each district should establish best practices for entering and maintaining quality data. • For all staff • Understand district business practices and policies for quality assurance and consistency. • Communicate the importance of accurate data entry. • Provide ongoing professional development about data requirements and district data quality practices.

5. Data Accuracy • For staff who enter data • Keep student dataaccuratelyupdated and current. • Review and correct CEDARS errors on a weekly basis.

6. Data Accuracy • For administrators • Provide district level oversight for building level reporting. • Create and support open communication between registrars at different buildings that share students. • Publish Student Information System documentation that details correct data entry procedures. • Provide access to technical support for the Student Information System

7. Verification Reports • These are generated in response to data submissions and are used to verify data accuracy. • CEDARS exception reports • Student Information System reports (entry/withdrawal, course and teacher) • Educational Data System (EDS) Reports • Federal Special Education November Child Count • October Enrollment • Adjusted Cohort Graduation Application (P210) and Annual CTE Student Enrollment Review (P210) Voc • Bilingual • Homeless

8. Resources • Materials on the CEDARS web site can help you improve data quality • CEDARS data manual and appendices • CEDARS reporting guidance • Student record exchange user guide • State course codes spreadsheet • CIP code chart for CTE courses

9. Resources • Materials on the CEDARS web site can help you improve data quality • CEDARS submission exceptions dictionary • Quick Tip Sheet: Understanding the “As Of Date” • Logical Delete Frequently Asked Questions • CEDARS SSID User Guide

10. Resources • Materials are also available on the OSPI School Apportionment & Financial Services web site: • Professional development materials and reporting handbook for enrollment • Guidelines for reporting Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) enrollment

11. Resources • Additional support: • Documentation and reference materials from your Student Information System vendor • Monthly OSPI CEDARS video teleconferences • Student Information Monthly Online Newsletter (SIMON)

12. Review • Identify strategies for promoting data accuracy. • Describe how verification reports can identify inaccurate or missing data. • List resourcesthat improve data quality.

13. Want more? Visit http://www.k12.wa.us/CEDARS/dataquality/

14. Discussion • What systems does your district have in place to verify the accuracy of data? What suggestions do you have to improve these? • What are the effects of inaccurate data on your district? (For example, allocations may be incorrect.)