The Performance-Based Data Management Initiative (PBDMI) is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Department of Education (ED), State Education Agencies (SEAs), and industry partners to improve the quality and timeliness of education information. The initiative will produce an Education Data Exchange Network (EDEN), providing SEAs and the Federal government the capacity to transfer and analyze information about education programs. When fully implemented, EDEN will not only provide timely performance data to education decision makers and grant managers but also streamline the data collection process and reduce the burden of grant reporting. More at www.ed.gov/pbdmi.

Successful Transmission of EDEN Data

The first large-scale submission of EDEN data was successfully transmitted by states to the U. S. Department of Education's EDEN system from November to December 2004. Additional data will continue to be submitted as available. The chart above shows submissions through February 2005. Data received to date are primarily "Priority 1" and "Priority 2" data, including directory, enrollment/status, assessment, graduation, dropout, and Federal programs data, as well as a few additional lower priority files. As of February, the Department received directory data from all 52 states and territories and 41 states have provided enrollment and status data. These data include preloaded data from the Common Core of Data.

Outcomes data, including state assessment data required by No Child Left Behind legislation, were submitted by 17 states and graduation and dropout data were submitted by 15 states. Thirteen states provided information relating to the implementation of Federal programs. This first wave of data transmitted to EDEN is critical in determining state accountability, but also provide guiding information for state and national program management, and the formulation of budgets and plans. Timely submission of these data help states meet Federal requirements, and are also invaluable to the management of programs within the states, including receiving funding to advance programs that show results.

New Round of Data Collection Beginning

Once States have submitted and established their baseline data for SY 2003-2004, they will focus their efforts on providing data continuously throughout 2005 for the 2004-2005 school year. Continuous submission of data ensures the increased availability of timely data for the Department for performance management, but it also permits less burdensome data submissions for states, which have previously been asked to submit multiple data collections at the same time to the Department

Help for States In Submitting Data

The U.S. Department of Education has developed multiple support systems to help states electronically submit timely and high quality data to the EDEN system. While many of the issues associated with transmitting data to EDEN have been resolved by the states, some states need continuing assistance until their data systems are fully up and running. Below are several supports available to states:

• Partner Support Center (1-866-647-EDEN) assists states in submitting their data to EDEN.

• The Customer Support Call Center (Toll Free: 1-800-576-0008) assists districts and schools as they submit data for the Civil Rights Survey.

• Additionally, the Council of the Chief State School Officers (202-336-7000) provides contractual help to States supporting the EDEN project. They:

  • Provide assistance and support to Chief State School Officers, as they work with staff to submit EDEN data to the Department.
  • Provide assistance to states in data analysis and preparation of data before they are sent to the EDEN system.
  • Provide expertise in the development of data elements and their use in states submitting data to the EDEN system.

• For other assistance not listed above, contact Patrick Sherrill, Project Manager, at the U.S. Department of Education (pat.sherrill@ed.gov)

Data Analysis and Reporting Update

To permit analysis and reporting of EDEN data, the Department is currently developing the Data Analysis and Reporting System (DARS) with the support of EDS (Electronic Data Systems Corporation). To date EDS has integrated key queries (or questions that users can pose to obtain analyses) into the system, as well as developed requirements for how data in the data repository can be accessed, and how the user can best interact with the system. The DARS will be launched in April to U. S. Department of Education program staff. Beginning in November 2005, States will have access to the DARS to analyze the data they have submitted to the EDEN system. Submission of outstanding SY 2003-2004 data to EDEN by states is particularly critical to the success of DARS. The more data states submit to EDEN, the more powerful and extensive the analytical output of the DARS can be.

EDEN Data Maps

This summer, principal and program office staff at the U. S. Department of Education will become users of EDEN's Data Analysis and Reporting System (DARS) to obtain data for the performance management of their programs. Strategic Accountability Service staff have developed EDEN data maps for each principal office in the U.S. Department of Education, which identify the key data elements and data queries of the EDEN system specific to the accountability needs of each office. SAS has made the information needs of principal offices its top priority to ensure that offices have high quality and timely data for improved performance management of the Department's 150+ programs, to foster greater internal as well as external accountability.

Important Upcoming EDEN Dates

March: Data validation and verification.
April: Training ED staff on analytic tools.
May 5-6: PBDMI Partners Conference.
June: Begin end-of-year SY 2004-2005 submissions.
November: States have access to analytic tools.

Reducing Burden

After EDEN is implemented in April 2005, ED will be able to review the contents of the database to identify what data collections are redundant and can be eliminated in future years. This review of data collections would include collections for the 19 State Formula Grant programs covered under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB), programs under IDEA, as well as collections required by enacted vocational and technical legislation.

Survey Tool

In January 2005, the EDEN Survey Tool was introduced for the Civil Rights Data (CRD) collection. Surveyed school districts used an electronic survey pre-populated with data transmitted to EDEN by their State. More information about the tool and the CRD collection is available at: http://www.ed.gov/pbdmi/surveytool/crdcollection/.

Request for Comments

In May 2005, a 60-day public comment period for the review of 2005-2008 EDEN data elements, required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, will be announced. We invite public comment at that time.

		For additional information on PBDMI, visit: www.ed.gov/pbdmi/

Comments or questions? pat.sherrill@ed.gov