Initiatives
Data Analysis, Evaluation and Technical Assistance Unit
In April 2009, the Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) at the University of California, Merced, launched the Data Analysis, Evaluation, and Technical Assistance (DAE-TA) unit. This unit develops data systems and procedures that inform practices in K-12 education, ensuring that all students graduate with the widest array of postsecondary options.
DAE-TA leads with a two-pronged approach to penetrate every aspect of a K-12 district's operation. First, it utilizes data systems to inform students' course placement, ensuring they are college— and career-ready. Second, it focuses on increasing the number of eligible students who apply to four-year colleges and universities. The impact of DAE-TA's work is evident in how partner districts have gone as far as re-designing their districts' summer school programs to afford students readiness for an array of postsecondary options.
The analysis of student data to assess performance on state assessments has highlighted obstacles hindering academic achievement, prompting K-12 leaders to identify and provide the necessary resources for students to stay on track to meet high school graduation and postsecondary admission a-g course requirements. In partnership with the University of California, UC Compass, formerly known as the Transcript Evaluation Service (TES), evaluates student transcripts to measure a-g course completion rates by grade level for all students.
Data Systems
A-G Monitoring Tool
The a-g Monitoring Tool tracks the a-g completion status for students in grades 9-12, categorizing them as On-Track, Subject Borderline, or Off-Track based on the TES benchmarks established by the University of California. The tool automates a manual process by analyzing student transcripts according to predefined rules to determine whether the student is on track for completing a-g courses. The tool then generates an Individual Academic Plan (IAP) for every student, outlining their progress towards satisfying the UC and CSU-approved a-g subject requirements.
Counseling Data Dashboard
The Counseling Data Dashboard stores numerous metrics that support the district and practitioners' assessment of students' progression from grades 7-12. Real-time data is available through individual indicators that can be disaggregated by subgroups and/or grade level(s) to assess the students' progress. The dashboard serves as a check and balance for the district and practitioners to ensure that student data is accurately documented, disaggregated, and reported.
A-G Manual Match Tool
The a-g Manual Match Tool helps identify high school courses that are not a-g approved and inconsistencies with transcript abbreviations or course titles on the master schedule or student transcripts. The identification of mismatched information enables districts to pinpoint and document practices that hinder students' postsecondary readiness and options.
FAFSA Monitoring Tool
The FAFSA Monitoring Tool provides the district and school site(s) with a summary of FAFSA completion for 12th-grade students. Practitioners can assess FAFSA submissions, including those with errors and incomplete submissions that require additional support for the student. In partnership with the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), the tool imports student data that helps practitioners identify the students in need of support to meet the FAFSA and income verification deadline(s).
IHE Dashboard
The Institution of Higher Education (IHE) Dashboard generates student profiles based on their postsecondary readiness, enabling K-12 practitioners to assess them efficiently and effectively. Students' postsecondary goals and status are documented in the database: applied, admitted, and enrolled. The dashboard triggers alerts for the matriculation steps that students have not completed in order to enroll at their selected postsecondary institution. Practitioners use this information to prioritize students who require immediate support, thereby streamlining their enrollment at a postsecondary institution.
Early Identification and Intervention System (EIIS) Tool
The Early Identification and Intervention System (EIIS) tool is designed to serve as an early warning system, helping administrators and practitioners identify at-risk students and trigger immediate intervention(s). The EIIS tool provides practitioners with profiles of students who are struggling academically, behaviorally, and with truancy. This information triggers the implementation of a district's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Framework.
Partnerships
Sacramento City Unified School District
(2017 - Present)A-G Improvement Partnerships
- Le Grand High School District
- Madera Unified School District
- Dinuba Unified School DIstrict