A small misunderstanding this week between the state and a local school district–involving–enrollment numbers may highlight a need for a proposed $1.9 million student data system in Idaho's public schools.

These types of systems, called longitudinal data systems, can "change the culture" of how student data is analyzed and reported, as well as affect potential policy changes promoting educational improvement, said Nancy Smith, deputy director of the Data Quality Campaign, of Washington, D.C.

"Idaho is behind the pack for this type of extensive student data system," said Smith.

The Idaho State Department of Education is pushing for the system in this year's legislative budget at a price tag that would represent a fraction of 1 percent of its $1.47 billion general fund budget request. The appropriation would fund mostly software and some hardware for the data system, said ISDE Spokesperson Melissa McGrath.

Vocal opposition has been minimal so far during the legislative session. But in 2004, a similar initiative through the state and the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation failed and resulted in a loss of $1 million in public funds, according to the state's Office of Performance Evaluations.

The proposed data system would attach a number to every student in Idaho and track information about that student so ISDE and school districts could collect and disseminate current and accurate data for enrollment, dropout rates, student achievement and other "critical information," according to the ISDE.

The Data Quality Campaign studies show Idaho is one of only five states with no system, Smith said. The average cost for states to implement one of these systems ranges from $1 million to $3 million, depending on hardware and software.

The proposed $1.9 million cost for a system in Idaho "seems reasonable" to Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur d'Alene, the chairman of the House Education Committee. "It would pay great dividends in the future," he said.

Local confusion

A recent discrepancy in fall enrollment numbers between the state education department and the Twin Falls School District may highlight the need for a longitudinal student data system in Idaho.

The confusion ensued when the district discovered head-count numbers on its spreadsheet differed by about 47 students from a version maintained by the state.

But within a day Superintendent Wiley Dobbs said he figured out the problem, and determined that 94 half-time charter school students - who take classes at Twin Falls High School through the Advanced Regional Technical Education Center - were included in the district's enrollment numbers, but not the state's. Those half-timers represented the discrepant 47 students.

But the district is already funded for those students through the charter school, Dobbs said, and "double dipping" for money is not allowed. He said this incident did not result in the district receiving any more or less money than it was entitled.

"That is one reason we want to have a state longitudinal data system," McGrath said. "The district's no longer disputing their numbers with us." ISDE receives enrollment data from each school district, she said.

Dobbs is open to the idea of a statewide longitudinal data system, he said, especially for tracking academic growth and transferring data for students moving between districts.

But Dobbs said the idea could face some opposition. "Idaho is pretty much known as ruggedly independent," he said.

The issue has gained little traction yet in this first week at the Legislature. But Nonini said he hasn't heard any objections to the proposition.

A working example

The Idaho Department of Corrections has a longitudinal data system for inmates and parolees. The system, which started with an $800,000 investment, has been modernized over the past three years and one official said it has streamlined their operations.

The system works in coordination with an original offender management system and now lets state corrections officials track the educational and treatment progress of inmates and parolees, said Soni Starr, a state correction department project manager.

Inmates are tracked with their number for the amount of vocational training, GED coursework, and self-change programs that they've completed. "I think it provides us with accurate data collections," said Starr.

That means the Legislature gets thorough information about IDOC for policy decisions, she said.

Andrea Gates can be reached at 735-3380 or Andrea.Gates@lee.net