Questions On Data Collection and the Common Core
5 min read
As mentioned in earlier posts, much confusion exists around the Common Core standards.
There is also some full throated paranoia mongering confusion about the requirements of data collection and the Common Core standards.
To be clear, data collection and the Common Core standards are two separate things. However, due to how the evaluations based on Common Core have been rolled out alongside Common Core, and how both Race to the Top and NCLB waivers have emphasized the need for increased data collection, the confusion here is understandable.
However, just because the confusion is understandable does not mean it needs to persist.
Data collection about education goes back to 1867; this 1993 publication (pdf download) put out by the National Center for Education Statistics looks at trends in American Education dating back to just after the Civil War. And, as a historical footnote to a historical footnote, the introduction is written by then Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement, Dr. Diane Ravitch.
Of course, data collection and usage looks different when large datasets can be shared, replicated, or compromised more easily. Also, computerized records - relative to paper records - are easier to copy, easier to manipulate, and therefore easier to mishandle. In the days of paper records, it was difficult to lose or misplace or share datasets. Now that years worth of records can be stored on a thumb drive, it makes sense to understand how data is collected and handled, and what our rights are with respect to that data.
The responses to the questions laid out below will give a sense how your district collects and handles data.
It's also bears highlighting that understanding how a district or a state *collects* data is very different than understanding how they *use* data. This post focuses primarily on data collection and data handling, as opposed to data use.
Questions For Districts Around Data
- What data is collected about students? When can students and parents review the forms used to collect data?
- What data is collected about parents?
- What data is collected about teachers?
- What data is collected about administrators?
- Where can I see documentation about the data collected and stored within the district data system?
- Who is responsible for collecting data?
- Who enters the collected data into a computerized system?
- Within the school, who can access a student's data?
- Within the district, who can access a student's data?
- Is the student data stored on a system that is accessible over a district-wide network?
- Is the student data stored on a system that is accessible over the internet?
- If the student data system is accessible over the internet, how is it protected from unauthorized access? What safeguards are in place to monitor or detect unauthorized access?
- Does the district have a policy governing who can export student data from the system (into a spreadsheet or other software)?
- What training do district employees get about handling sensitive data, and encrypting sensitive data? How often is this training given? Who receives this training?
- Is the student data system provided by an external vendor? If yes, who is that vendor, and what agreements are entered into regarding the handling and ownership of student data?
- When can students review their data? How are students told of their rights to review data collected and stored on their progress?
- How is collected data shared with teachers to support them in their day to day teaching and planning?
- How can students get a complete copy of their stored data?
- How can students and parents correct potential inaccuracies in the data?
- How long is data stored by the district?
- How can a student, parent, or teacher delete data in the system?
- Are any outside vendors given access to student data? If yes, who are these vendors, and what are the terms that govern their use of the data? What auditing measures are in place to ensure that they comply with the terms of any data handling agreements?
- How many staff support the security and maintenance of the student data system?
- What are the non-staff costs related to managing student data (maintenance, security, license fees, training)? What line items in the budget define these costs?
- If there is a data breach, how will people be notified?
- What data collected at the district level is passed to the state Department of Education? How does this data transfer occur? When does this data transfer occur?
Closing Thoughts
This is a laundry list of questions, and I feel pretty confident that there are things that I left out that should be added. Please correct any oversights in the comments.
If schools and districts are going to be expected to do data collection, we need to give them the tools to do it safely and well. As part of that, parents and students need to know how to access and manage their information that is stored within data systems. Ideally, these questions can help shape and inform a process where everyone's needs are addressed.
Image Credit: "Question Mark Grafitti" taken by Bilal Kamoon, published under an Attribution license.
