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Highlights of the conference included

• Discussions on technical and policy issues related to the collection, maintenance, and use of education data for education researchers, policymakers, and data system managers from all levels of government who want to share innovations in the design and implementation of education data collections and information systems; 
• Informative sessions on the CCD, data collection, data linking beyond K-12, data management, data privacy, data quality, data standards, data use (analytical), data use (instructional), fiscal data, SLDS, and changes in how the U.S. Department of Education collects and uses data; and 
• Updates on federal and state activities affecting data collection and reporting, with a focus on information about the best new approaches in collecting, reporting, and using education statistics. 

Members of IDC's Tools and Products Assessment workgroup presented an overview of states and entities across several pertinent variables: a) current information on each state's standards, current state assessments, and assessment plans; and b) 2011-12 information on Part B Indicator 3. Presenters conducted an interactive discussion identifying data quality issues around Indicator 3 and solicited suggestions for tools and products to improve data quality for this indicator.

IDC designed these two technical assistance products to be used by state personnel responsible for IDEA 618 and/or 616 data. The products include a step-by-step guide on completing an outlier analysis, with a brief introduction on the principles of outlier analyses, and a tool state staff can use to conduct outlier analyses with their local data. IDEA Part B state staff working with LEAs also can use both products to analyze their local data.

This workshop engaged participants in identifying data quality issues that interfere with assessing progress in SSIP implementation and improvement toward the SiMR. A facilitated discussion focused on strategies for improving data quality to support decisionmaking and achievement of results.

This session provided an overview of the landscape of Part B Indicator 13 data collection across the nation. Presenters shared insights from the TA Center charged with analyzing this indicator and two states that have wrestled with examining the quality of services in the compliance monitoring process. Presenters shared data, lessons learned, and suggestions.

During this session, the presenter applied IDC’s working principles of high-quality data to the SSIP. The presenter focused on applying the principles of data quality at each step in the SSIP evaluation.

This presentation provided information that would allow participants to increase their knowledge of what constitutes high-quality data, how to improve processes for collecting high-quality data, and the use of high-quality data for measuring program effectiveness.