HB 1541 - DIGEST

Finds that: (1) Reliable data on student progress, characteristics of students and schools, and teacher qualifications and mobility is critical for accountability to the state and to the public;

(2) Educational data should be made available as widely as possible while appropriately protecting the privacy of individuals as provided by law;

(3) School districts and the office of the superintendent of public instruction need robust and compatible data systems and programs to reduce inefficiencies caused by the lack of connectivity and to minimize or eliminate multiple data entry; and

(4) Schools and districts should be supported in their management of educational data and should have access to user-friendly programs and reports that can be readily used by classroom teachers and building principals to improve instruction.

Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction and educational service districts to provide training to school and school district personnel on: (1) The importance of accurate and timely collection and submission of educational data;

(2) Troubleshooting potential data problems and common errors;

(3) Maintaining appropriate privacy and confidentiality of data; and

(4) Ways to use educational data to inform decision making and classroom instruction.

Provides that, by the beginning of the 2008-09 school year, the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall develop and disseminate recommended guidelines for training, professional development, certification, and compensation of school data quality specialists.