VT Census Case Studies : Maine K-12 Education

Created by ziemer on 31 May 2015

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

Link: http://dw.education.maine.gov/DirectoryManager/Web/maine_report/MaineLanding.aspx


Date Inventory Completed: 5/31/15

Screening

  • Is there data available for 2013?
  • Can we access the data by August 15th?

Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? NO

Explanation: We requested student-level data, however, our request was declined because Maine is not currently accepting and reviewing new request for MOUs. They will resume reviewing MOUs on July 1st. Not currently clear what else is involved in this process.

Shortened Inventory

Purpose

  • What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?

The Maine Department of Education provides resources to help educators and meet the needs of students as well as provides information to help policymakers make decisions about educational programs and practices.

  • Who else uses the data? (make a note if they sell the data to companies)

Policy-makers, educators, parents, researchers

 

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?

Depends on the dataset, but many have 2005-2014.

  • How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided?

Less than one year.

 

Selectivity (conversely, the representativeness)

  • What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents?

Students who are home-schooled or those attending Maine public schools.

  • Can K-12 be linked to higher ed or higher ed to workforce?

No. There are separate systems for University of Maine schools, Maine Community Colleges, and Maine private higher education institutions.


Accessibility

  • How is the school-level data accessed (note if it needs to be screen scraped)?

Can download csv files as well as “snapshots” for each school.

  • How is the student-level data accessed?

Currently not taking any requests for student-level data. Will resume on July 1st, but not clear what this process is. Researcher, however, must sign an MOU.

  • Note if IRB is needed or any other restrictions on accessing data.

Unknown

  • Any records or fields collected, but not included in data source?

Unknown

  • Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?

Unknown