A survey among members of the League of Innovative Schools found that while every participating district had dedicated staff for managing data, their maturity in data integration was all over the map.
Only a third of respondents (33 percent), for example, report that more than half of their teaching and learning tools are linked with their student information systems. That represents a lot of data that won’t ever find its way into the SIS. Almost three-quarters (74 percent) said their districts use more than 26 education technology or software products; 17 percent use more than 100.
The survey was small — 40 CTOs, data administrators and others who work within League schools or districts. The League is an initiative of Digital Promise, to bring together a peer-selected network of education leaders who agree to team up with ed tech companies, researchers and others to provide a test-bed for new approaches in teaching and learning.
While nearly nine in 10 respondents (88 percent) said that data interoperability was a consideration in decision-making for new ed tech purchases, fewer than half (41 percent) as many thought teachers would say the same. As one director of technology and innovation pointed out, while the district or a school will only provide “approved” software or tools, the rules don’t prohibit teachers from getting and using software outside of the approved list.
FCS has developed a solution called Data Interoperability Tool which makes data-driven school districts a reality. Districts of all sizes can now accelerate innovation by solving their complex data interoperability issues and having access to data-driven insights when they need it. Districts also have access to curated data sets to answer questions from any scale and at speed. This allows districts to improve any functional area – Student Services, Special Education, Education Services, Human Resources and many more. The tool is fully managed and can be provisioned within minutes on Google Cloud. Districts stand to gain from the lower total cost of ownership and faster time to benefit. The solution mitigates risks, lowers costs, and allows districts better control of their environment.
Key Benefits of FCS Data Interoperability Tool
- Ends data silos and allows schools and districts to integrate their SIS (School Information Systems) with other applications to maintain consistency of data and improve learning practices district wide
- Incorporates data governance best practices as foundation for the solution
- Provides educators with integrated data for improved decision making
- Achieve operational efficiencies through elimination of intensive manual tasks
- Reduces the complexities involved in data interoperability
- Fully supports industry data standards
- Keeps student data confidential and secure
- Knowledge base promotes professional development for staff
If your school is currently experiencing trouble on seamless data import and export, feel free to contact FCS today. Send us a message for a free consultation.