The Performance-Based Data Management Initiative (PBDMI) is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Department of Education (ED), State Education Agencies (SEAs), and industry partners to improve the quality and timeliness of education information. The initiative will produce an Education Data Exchange Network (EDEN), providing SEAs and the Federal government the capacity to transfer and analyze information about education programs. When fully implemented, EDEN will not only provide timely performance data to education decision makers and grant managers but also streamline the data collection process and reduce the burden of grant reporting.

EDEN Schedule

September 2004

• OMB finalizes data elements
• Transmission training

November 2004

• Transmission window opens

December 2004

• Transmission window closes
• Civil Rights survey opens

January - March 2005

• Data validation and verification

Preparing for EDEN

ED has hired expert consultants to analyze its current internal business processes and develop guidance for a smooth transition to a data-rich performance-based environment.

Reducing Burden

After EDEN is implemented in March 2005, we will be able to review the contents of the database to identify what data collections are redundant and can be eliminated in future years. The review of data collections would include collections for the 19 programs covered under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB), programs under IDEA, as well as collections required by any enacted vocational-technical legislation.

Privacy: To protect the privacy of individuals when production data is made public, EDEN will mask information when a count, or cell, contains a very low number or the entire population for that category.

Survey Tool

EDEN also will contain a survey tool to collect needed data that is not part of the regularly scheduled annual collections. The requirements for the tool have been defined and a software vendor has been selected. The tool will have its first trial beginning in December, 2004, with the Civil Rights Data (CRD) collection. Surveyed school districts will have the option to use an electronic survey pre-filled with data transmitted to EDEN by their State. More information about the tool and the CRD collection is available at: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/
ous/sas/pbdmi/surveytool/crdcollection/index.html.

		Providing Accurate and Timely Data on the Effectiveness of Educational Programs and Achievement Trends in America's Schools

OMB Review

We Want Your Comments: The clearance package for the first official EDEN collection is available on the Federal Register for public comment - Volume 69, Number 141, Friday, July 23, 2004. Information about the collection can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2004-3/072304b.pdf

State Advisors

PBDMI has been fortunate to have a group of experienced State and local managers advise the development of EDEN. This group is a standing task force of the CCSSO Education Information Advisory Committee which meets with ED staff quarterly to review PBDMI plans and progress.

Many thanks to:

Dennis Powell (Chair) - Illinois
Bob Beecham - Nebraska
Bethann Canada - Virginia
Roy Herrold - Pennsylvania
Steve King - Wyoming
Doug Kosty - Oregon
Tom Ogle - Missouri
Lalit M. Roy - California
James Simmons - Mississippi
David Smith - Nevada
Leland Tack - Iowa
Raymond Yeagley - New Hampshire

PBDMI Training

This fall, PBDMI will conduct submission training for the SEAs from September 29th thru October 1st . This training aims to provide the knowledge needed to create and send transmittals. The SEA staff will leave the training feeling confident that they can send all available data to EDEN in a timely manner.

The objectives of the training are:

• to know how to create and send transmittals to EDEN and participate in the processing of the transmittals;
• to understand the entire EDEN process; and to
• to become aware of the resources available for technical assistance; and
• to share ideas about how to implement EDEN with staff from other states.

EDEN and XML Specifications Session

XML Pilot states joined ED staff and their SAIC contractor August 5th and 6th in a Joint Application Design session to review the proposed design for the EDEN XML Schema. (XML "eXtensible Markup Language"). The session objective was to reach agreement on a complete set of XML schemas to be used to transmit education institution information between the States and ED via EDEN data submission system.

EDEN includes XML alternatives in order to provide an efficient environment for those States already using XML and to build a platform compatible with emerging Schools Interoperability Framework- compliant systems. Most States have indicated that they will use flat file formats for this fall's first full production cycle.

Partner Support Center

This fall, PBDMI will establish a Partner Support Center that will provide a full range of support to EDEN.

The EDEN Partner Support Center will provide administrative and technical assistance to data suppliers to ensure effective use of EDEN. The objectives are to:

• provide accurate and timely EDEN transmission information; and
• maintain a web site with documentation on EDEN including frequently asked questions; and capture knowledge for purposes of improving process and proactively address emerging issues.

		For additional information on PBDMI, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/pbdmi/index.html If you have comments or questions, please contact: Patrick Sherrill PBDMI Project Manger at pat.sherrill@ed.gov