Below is a list of frequently asked questions for the Bridge to High School Data Exchange and Kid Talk.
- Who manages the Bridge to High School Data Exchange and Kid Talk?
- How will student-level data be collected and transmitted? What about student privacy protections?
- Our LEA participated in the Data Exchange and/or Kid Talk last year. Do we need to submit new commitment and data consent forms for the 2023-24 school year?
- Do DC private schools participate? What about out-of-state schools?
- What can I expect before, during and after the Kid Talk?
- Is participation in the Kid Talk mandatory?
- Who should attend the Kid Talk?
- How can I view and/or upload my LEA’s data?
- I logged onto Box and/or Qlik, but I don’t see any data or I see incomplete data. What’s going on?
Who manages the Bridge to High School Data Exchange and Kid Talk?
This project was originally designed and launched by Raise DC’s Ninth Grade Counts Network and is currently managed by College and Career Readiness team at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
How will student-level data be collected and transmitted? What about student privacy protections?
In compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines, upon enrollment verification, student-level data may be transferred among LEAs through an approved sponsoring organization (OSSE). All participating local education agencies (LEAs) must submit a Data Consent Form to participate in this project.
The Data Exchange collects student-level information from two sources: OSSE’s Statewide Longitudinal Education Data system (SLED) and LEAs. While much of the data is provided by SLED (e.g., demographic data, attendance, specialized Education status, and English learner status), there are several data points that must be provided by LEAs directly (e.g., course grades).
The Data Exchange utilizes two platforms, Box and Qlik. Box is used to download the required data templates and upload completed templates with your students' data. Your user ID and password for Box are the same credentials you use for eSchoolPLUS. LEAs with middle schools will also be able to securely access via the Qlik ninth-grade loopback application key ninth-grade outcomes data on their alumni. Qlik is also used by LEAs with high schools to securely view data on their enrolling ninth graders. Your user ID and password for Qlik are the same credentials you use for SLED.
Once you have signed and submitted your LEA Commitment and Data Consent Forms, you will receive an email from OSSE with directions and credentials to access Box and Qlik. If you cannot remember your login credentials or have moved to a new LEA and need to update your access, please contact [email protected] and copy Marquita Hardy, [email protected].
Please note that any data provided by LEAs that is not currently housed in SLED will not be entered into SLED. LEAs agree to destroy all personally identifiable data in accordance with the Data Consent Form.
Our LEA participated in the data exchange and/or Kid Talk last year. Do we need to submit new commitment and data consent forms for the 2023-24 school year?
Yes, 2023-24 data consent form is due immediately. Please send this information to Marquita Hardy via email at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Do DC private schools participate? What about out-of-state schools?
Currently, only DC public and public charter schools can elect to participate in the Bridge to High School Data Exchange and Kid Talk.
What can I expect before, during and after the Kid Talk?
Prior to the Kid Talk, participating LEAs will receive (via Box) a spreadsheet of students from OSSE to be discussed. Students will be identified based on which campuses opt in to the Kid Talk. There are several steps schools are asked to take in preparation for the event:
Middle school representatives should:
- Review their LEA’s submitted eighth-grade templates for data on students to be discussed.
- Be familiar with the topics in the Kid Talk notes template and event protocols (to be provided).
- Consult with teammates to ensure you are equipped with relevant information to share.
High school representatives should:
- Review Qlik data on students to be discussed.
- Be familiar with the topics in the Kid Talk notes template and event protocols (to be provided).
- Define additional questions to ask your middle school colleagues.
During the Kid Talk, participants will be provided a detailed schedule with time blocks that correlate to the volume of students enrolling from a specific middle school to a specific high school. All participants are expected to come prepared with a laptop and having done sufficient advanced preparation. The standard Kid Talk notes template and agreed-upon protocols will help structure conversations so they are insightful and solution-oriented. While advanced preparation and adherence to the Kid Talk schedule and protocols will enable school representatives to maximize their time at the event, it is inevitable that there will be a need for follow-up conversations with colleagues from different schools. Because of this, we encourage participants to exchange contact information to continue their communications beyond the event.
After the Kid Talk, participants will leave equipped with knowledge to share back at home base and are encouraged to use this information to develop, implement and monitor action plans to support specific students. Kid Talk participants are also encouraged to check in with each other throughout the year to celebrate progress and brainstorm solutions.
Is participation in the Kid Talk mandatory?
No. Your LEA may elect to only participate in the Data Exchange. However, participation in the Data Exchange is a prerequisite for Kid Talk.
Who should attend the Kid Talk?
When LEAs register for the Data Exchange, they are also encouraged to indicate their interest in having their campuses participate in the Kid Talk and to identify a Kid Talk coordinator for their LEA. The Kid Talk coordinator will be responsible for identifying which specific campuses from their LEA will participate and the individuals who will attend. Because staff roles vary widely across schools, there isn’t a “common” position title we recommend attend. For example, last year, we had attendees range from principals, assistant principals, ninth-grade deans, ninth-grade counselors, to data representatives – all of whom provided feedback that the experience was beneficial. As your LEA considers which campus representatives are well-positioned to attend the Kid Talk, we encourage you to consider those who manage student course placement/schedules, coordinate student supports and interventions, and/or are responsible for the distribution of information and can serve as a core resource for ninth grade-focused teachers and other staff as they develop relationships with students. Additionally, while we have had some schools with one representative attend last year’s event, many brought teams of two to four people.
How can I view and/or upload my LEA’s data?
The Data Exchange utilizes two platforms, Box and Qlik. Once you have signed and submitted your LEA Commitment and Data Consent Forms, you will receive an email from OSSE with directions and credentials to access Box and Qlik.
Box is used to download the required data templates and upload completed templates with your students' data. Your user ID and password for Box are the same credentials you use for eSchoolPlus. LEAs with middle schools will also be able to securely access via the Qlik ninth grade loopback application, key ninth-grade outcomes data on their alumni. Qlik is used by LEAs with high schools to securely view data on their enrolling ninth graders and middle schools to review ninth-grade outcomes for their previous class of outgoing eighth graders This year high schools will also share ninth-grade student-level data with the student’s incoming 10th-grade high school, as well as 10th-grade student-level data with the student’s incoming 11th-grade high school for the 2019-20 school year. This additional transfer of student data allows high schools to better prepare for incoming 10th- and 11th-graders who transfer across LEAs. LEA data managers must assign the appropriate high school and middle school staff the role of counselor, head of school or principal in eSchoolPLUS for access to the Qlik application. Your user ID and password for Qlik are the same credentials you use for SLED.
If you cannot remember your login credentials or have moved to a new LEA and need to update your access, please contact [email protected] and copy Marquita Hardy at [email protected].
I logged onto Box and/or Qlik, but I don’t see any data/incomplete data. What’s going on?
There are a few reasons why you may not be able to see student data or are only seeing incomplete data:
- Check that your login credentials are up to date. Remember that your Box user ID and password are the same credentials you use for eSchoolPlus, and your Qlik user ID and password are the same credentials you use for SLED. You must be assigned to your current LEA. If you need to update your access to reflect your current LEA, please contact [email protected] and copy Marquita Hardy, [email protected].
- Check with your data manager to ensure you are assigned the correct role in eSchoolPLUS. Box access is only provided for users assigned the role of LEA Data Manager or Head of School in eSchoolPLUS. Qlik access is only provided for users assigned the role of Counselor, LEA Data Manager or Head of School in eSchoolPLUS.
- Your LEA (or another participating LEA) did not complete and submit a requisite data template. Since the Data Exchange is voluntary, it is critical that each LEA contributes relevant data, so all participating schools – and, ultimately, the students they serve – benefit. If you are a middle school attempting to view ninth-grade enrollment and outcomes data for your former eighth graders, you are expected to have previously submitted a completed eighth-grade template. If you are a high school attempting to view data on your incoming ninth graders, you are expected to have submitted completed ninth-grade mid-year and end-of-year data templates for the previous year.
- Your student(s) enrolled from/to a private school, homeschool, out-of-state school, or a non-participating LEA.
For further questions and additional information, please contact Marquita Hardy at [email protected]