부산대학교 도서관

This report identifies data elements and dissemination needs of District of Columbia (DC) educators, citizens, and public servants regarding elementary, secondary, higher, and adult education, presenting findings on the availability, dissemination, and evaluation of data systems in state and local school districts considered to have effective information systems. In spring 2002, surveys circulated at community group meetings and e-mailed to DC organizations and individuals concerned with public education examined data elements respondents would most likely access in an ample data system (K-12 information for charter, traditional public, and private schools; adult education information; and higher education information). In summer 2002, a search of state and local Web sites and follow-up telephone interviews with state and local education sites indicated that: most sites were moving toward single-record systems to track individual students and teachers over time and combine multiple data sources; all sites disseminated school report cards; all sites had comprehensive Web sites; and most sites relied on software systems and internal staff to ensure high-quality data. In fall 2002, nine focus groups with students, parents, teachers, and policymakers examined what information participants needed about education, how they wanted to get that information, and barriers to getting education information. Results deepened the understanding of survey data. A consistent finding across jurisdictions was the political impact of data collection and reporting. (SM)