The Director of Accountability at an urban New Jersey district was trying to decide what technologies would help teachers use data to drive instruction. He wondered whether it might be appropriate for the district to implement a “data warehouse” but did not know what were his other options.
Vikiwi helped educate the members of the task force the superintendent had formed to help the district with the decision. They described the features of a data warehouse, a “student data mart”, an “instructional management system”, and other on-line products that claimed to facilitate “data-driven decision-making”, and showed how each fit into a comprehensive data architecture. They pointed out that there was no “one size that fit all” and how the superintendent would likely need a different tool from teachers. And they provided budget costs and expected timelines, and explained what the district could do to greatly increase the chances of a successful implementation.
Considering the specific circumstances of the district, the task force recommended a three-phased approach over several years: first a data analysis and reporting tool; second an assessment and curriculum management tool; and third a data warehouse. Vikiwi wrote the RFP for phases one and two, and helped the district evaluate responses and select the winning vendor.
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