Variables included in the Dataset:
K-12
- Demographics
- School
- District
- Attendance/Dropout
- Grades/GPA
- Courses
- Test scores
- ACT/SAT
- Disciplinary action
- Teacher info (salaries, etc.)
Higher Education
- Demographics
- Type of college
- Enrollment
- Courses
- Major
- Grades
- Tuition/Scholarships
Workforce
- Demographics
- Salary
- Industry
Screening
- Is there data available for 2013?
- Can we access the data by August 15th? No
Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? NO
Explanation: The SLDS isn't slated for completion until June 2015 so the linked data access will not be available to request before July 2015.
Full Inventory
Purpose
- What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?
This is an effort to integrate and link students as they go from secondary school to the workforce and higher education. It is intended mostly to be used within the state government to better make public policy.
- Who else uses the data? (make a note if they sell the data to companies)
Researchers can request and obtain, with approval.
Description
- What is the general topic of the data?
- K-12 Student Information
- Higher Education Student Information
- Workforce Information
- Longitudinal Education Information (includes K-12, Higher Ed, and/or Workforce)
- What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?
Some data is available at the district level for 1991-2014 (e.g., dropout rates), however school level data is often not available until 1996 or later, but does tend to report data as recent as 2014.
- How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided?
Less than one year.
Method
What is the data collection method (portal, other)?
Some information is collected through a portal and other information is collected from paper enrollment forms or questionnaires.
What is the raw source of the collected data (teacher, superintendent)?
Some information such as grades and attendance is entered by school administrators. Other information, such as enrollment information which includes address and telephone number is completed by the parent or student.
Selectivity (conversely, the representativeness)
- What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents (public, charter, private)?
Everyone that has been a part of Alaska's education system (public).
Stability/Coherence
Note any changes to the universe of data being captured (e.g., including private schools).
Unknown
Note any changes to the data capture method or sources of data.
Unknown
Metadata
Is there a description of each variable in the source along with their valid values?
Not listed on the website.
Are there unique IDs for unique elements that can be used for linking data?
Yes - the Alaska Student Identification Number
Can K-12 be linked to higher ed or higher ed to workforce?
Not currently. The state is working to build an SLDS however it is not yet functional.
Links to codebooks:
NA
Accuracy
Any known sources of error?
Unknown
Describe any quality control checks performed by the state (or data manager).
Unknown
Accessibility
- How is the school-level data accessed (note if it needs to be screen scraped)?
School level data can be screen scraped.
- How is the student-level data accessed?
Through submitting a form and getting approval.
- Note if IRB is needed or any other restrictions on accessing data.
IRB approval needed.
- Any records or fields collected, but not included in data source?
Unknown.
- Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?
Unknown
Privacy and security
Note any confidentiality policies or legal limitations other than FERPA:
NA
What do they consider personally identifiable information?
Unknown
Research
What research has been done with this dataset?
The education department reports district and school level report cards.
Research links:
https://education.alaska.gov/stats/