Special Education
South Carolina Adopts Data Management System for Special Education Data
The South Carolina Department of Education
has implemented a special education data management system in an effort to
reduce the time and cost associated with the process of collecting and
reporting on special education data.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) requires states to collect and report data on a number of
indicators related to special education. According to John R. Payne, director
of the Office of Special Education Services for the South Carolina Department
of Education, the process required a duplication of effort for state and
district personnel.
In an effort to reduce this duplication of effort, and consequently save
time and money, the state has adopted a system that helps special education
personnel at the state and district levels manage their IDEA and state-level
compliance requirements and consolidate performance data.
The system, called Enrich
State, receives data directly from individualized education program (IEP)
software and student information systems (SIS) at the local education agency
level and uses that data to help districts and the state Department of
Education meet their reporting requirements. Because it can integrate with
district IEP systems, it's not necessary to implement a statewide IEP system,
and once it's linked with the district information systems, Enrich State
receives continuous snapshots of district data.
"Enrich is a process-based system, as opposed to a form-based system,"
said Payne. "Using Enrich State, districts and the department will be able to
better ensure procedural compliance."
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].