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Working with Contractors for Indicator 14:

Tips and Strategies

Capacity Building Institute

Charlotte, NCMay 8, 2008

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Presenters

Jackie Burr, Oregon SEA

Pattie Johnson, Teaching Research Institute, Western Oregon University

Jacque Hyatt,Idaho SEA

David Test,Special Education Program, UNC Charlotte

States

Contractors

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Indicator 14: Census or Sample

Oregon

North Carolina

Idaho

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Oregon and Indicator 14

OR uses “census” and “sampling”

OR has no large LEAs (50,000+)

OR uses district personnel to make calls

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North Carolina and Indicator 14

NC is a ‘sampling’ state

NC has 5 large LEAs (50,000+)

NC uses a call center (PIAR @ SUNY Potsdam) will also send paper copies and have

on-line version if needed

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Idaho and Indicator 14

Idaho is a ‘census’ state Began survey with Class of 2000

Total school leavers per yr 1100-1200

Contract is with a private company

Two activities associated with data collection:

Exit Survey Follow-up Survey (1, 3, and 5 years out)

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Why (or when) should a contractor be used?

Provide missing content and context

Training partner

Different perspective (Academic)

Different skill set

Time lines too tight for state

Detailed data handling

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What are the roles of the partners in terms of…

Data collection?

Data analysis?

Data reporting?

Data-based decision-making?

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OR SEA Roles

State Representative

Set parameters

Develop budget

Finalize content

Liaison between data managers, IT, SEA teams

Obtain final approvals

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OR Contractor Roles

Contractor

Research alternatives

Recommend methodology

Develop application

Analysis

Reporting

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NC Department of Public Instruction’s Role

Have final say on all questions and procedures

Help with LEA contacts

Work with LEA directors

Report to all stakeholders

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NC Contractor’s Role

Help develop surveys

Coordinate/compile Exit data

Give it to PIAR (PAIR collects PS data)

Analyze PSO data

Write reports Exit survey summary PSO data summaries

Overall LEAs

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NC Contractor’s Role

Report to stakeholder group

Coordinate with NC DPI Email Phone Reports Presentations

Work with NPSO Participate in monthly calls Use website resources

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Idaho SDE Responsibilities

Develop scope of work for contractor

Manage the completion of the Exit Surveys

Generate student contact list for contractor

Provide contractor with survey cover letter

Communicate with contractor

Support a SDE ‘content’ specialist and a ‘data’ specialist to manage the project

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Examples of questions the SEA should ask of the contractor:

When will we be able to review progress and structure of data collection?

How long will we have to review and finalize?

When will reports be complete?

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Examples of questions the contractor should ask the SEA

What data format (SPSS, Excel, other) does the SEA need?

Who provides training and materials?

When are reports due?

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Tips and Strategies for working successfully with partners

Solid Contract

Relationships

Constant Communication

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Solid Contract

Choose a contractor that compliments the resources or skill set of the SEA

Write contract based on “big picture” result/outcomes

Clearly define deliverables

Specify time table

Write Tight—Work Loose

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Relationships

Good communication

Respect partners

Prioritize often

Anticipate barriers

Find solutions together

Maintain professionalism

Develop and maintain trust

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Issues Needing Constant Communication

Data collection

Methodology

Barriers

Measuring Results

Content and Context

Timelines

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Questions

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Contact Information

Jackie Burr 503-947-5639 Jackie.burr@state.

or.us

Pattie Johnson 503-838-8779 johnsop@wou.edu

Jacque Hyatt 208-332-6951 jshyatt@sde.idaho.

gov

David Test 704-687-8853 dwtest@uncc.edu