Education Data Technical Assistance Support Services

Added: Aug 02, 2016 9:49 am Given the increased number of SLDS grantees and the growing complexities of state data systems, the EDTAP contractor shall provide a comprehensive set of services and products to help foster, feed, and facilitate the fast-growing body of knowledge around developing a longitudinal data system. The technical assistance (TA) will be aligned to the areas where the greatest needs exist. This includes formalizing how topic areas, lessons learned and best practices are identified and shared among SEAs and others involved in the design, implementation, and use of data systems. The contactor shall actively identify, develop, and disseminate best practices and facilitate the sharing of lessons learned to help grantees avoid complications experienced by their peers. For areas where best practices do not exist and for new SLDS requirements that States are struggling with, the contractor shall develop publications, white papers, case studies, issue technical briefs, and conduct training to assist in the formulation of solutions to meet these challenges.

Additionally, the contractor shall focus on helping grantees make effective use of the wealth of information contained within the newly-developed SLDSs while still ensuring the protection of individual privacy. This shall be achieved through a partnership with the leading technical experts and willing states, to create best practice guides and resources to educate stakeholders on how to disseminate, share, and use data collected to improve student learning and school practices.
Finally, the contractor shall utilize an IT platform to support the delivery of technical assistance services, to facilitate the sharing of documents and products through an on line repository of best practices, and to enable grants monitoring services among the SLDS community.

This EDTAP contract shall:

1. Provide technical assistance (TA) to grantees, and non-grantees, around the design, development, implementation, and use of longitudinal data systems;
2. Work with the Department's Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) in the Institute for Education Sciences to develop materials and communicate guidance about data system development and data use best practices;
3. Create a repository of best practices through collection of existing documents and resources as well as the development of new materials and publications;
4. Create a shared community among the data system stakeholders in early childhood, K-12, postsecondary, and workforce data systems through the use of webinars, conferences, and regional gatherings.