State Data Collection Relative to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program
Mike Herrmann Executive Director Office of School Safety and Learning Support Tennessee Department of Education February 20, 2007
Uniform Management Information and Reporting System
• Truancy Rates • The frequency, seriousness, and incidence of violence and drug-related offenses resulting in suspension and expulsions in elementary schools and secondary schools in the State • The types of curricula, programs, and services provided by the chief executive officer, the State educational agency, local educational agencies, and other recipients of funds ……. • The incidence and prevalence, age of onset, perception of health risk, and perception of social disapproval of drug use and violence by youth in schools and communities.
Truancy
• Very difficult to arrive at a uniform definition. • Excused vs. unexcused absences. • Closely tied to larger local and state data collection challenges.
Incidents of Violence and DrugRelated Offenses
• Generally uniform definitions within States, but subject to local interpretation. • More valuable as a trend measure than a comparison measure. • Generally dependent upon disciplinary action. Some states collect “Incident” data. • Tennessee collects “zero tolerance” and victims of violent crime data separate from discipline reports.
Types of curricula, programs, services, etc.
• Identifies how SDFS funds are being expended. • May not accurately capture scope or fidelity of implementation.
Incidence and Prevalence, etc.
• Generally obtained through surveys and frequently available only at state level. • In TN, Youth Risk Behavior Survey is administered statewide every other year. • Some schools/districts use other surveys such as PRIDE and report enhanced local buy-in. • Barriers to localized data include cost, FERPA, resistance from parents and educators, multiple survey requests.
Other State-Level Data Elements
• • • • • • • Persistently Dangerous Schools Criteria SDFS Performance Targets Gun Free Schools Act Kids Count AYP/Other Academic Data School Improvement/Climate Surveys Juvenile Court