SPEARSSpecial Education Ad Hoc Reporting System
SPEARS Question & AnswerOctober 23, 2007 (Region 13)
Question #1
Q: Could you please provide additional information re: the PEIMS report used to generate the report (fall snapshot? summer entry?)
A: Child Count – Fall Snapshot (110/163) Instructional Setting – Fall Snapshot (110/163) Disproportionality – Fall Snapshot (110/163) Exit – Fall, Summer (203/400/405), AEIS Disciplinary Action – Summer (425/400/405) Extended School Year – Summer (408/400/405)
Question #2
Q: When will we be able to search for a report by primary secondary and tertiary disability?
A: Already have the ability to report on “primary disability.” The requested enhancement is to add reporting on “secondary” and “tertiary” disability. ETA is TBD.
Question #3
Q: When will the assessment data be added to SPEARS?
A: TBD After revised assessments are fully implemented
(TAKS-I, TAKS-ALT, etc.) Must be available in the data warehouse, an
intermediate repository required for loading into SPEARS
Question #4
Q: Can the data be updated as PEIMS is updated rather than just twice a year?
A: That is currently the process. As soon as data is made available through PEIMS, it is loaded into the Agency’s data warehouse, and then immediately into SPEARS.
Question #5
Q: Please review what is the most current year data is available on SPEARS.
A: Child Count: 2006-2007 Instructional Setting: 2006-2007 Disproportionality: 2006-2007 Exit: 2004-2005 (2005-2006 by Nov. 1) Disciplinary Action: 2005-2006 ESY: 2005-2006
Question #6
Q: Will SPEARS provide data on those students who will not graduate within the 4 year period?
A: Yes, available in SPEARS whenever a Leaver (203)
Record is submitted No “cohort” data in SPEARS Leaver (203) Record does not indicate when the
student entered the 9th grade
Question #7
Q: Can you pull graduation data by type? If yes, how?
A: Yes Review Exit training module (April 3, 2007) Graduation Type/Diploma Type on:
Special Ed Graduates By Disability Special Ed Graduates By Ethnicity Exit Ad Hoc
Question #8
Q: How current is the data in this database?
A: See answer to question #5 above.
Question #9
Q: Where is the 2007-2008 data coming from (data source)?
A: See answer to question #1 above.
Question #10
Q: Can Child Find data be added to SPEARS?
A: Need clarification.
Question #11
Q: Is it possible to pull data by secondary, teritiary disability conditions?
A: See answer to question #2 above.
Question #12
Q: What is the best way to pull the data for state performace plan indicators?
A: Depends on the indicator. See me afterword to discuss specific indicators.
Question #13
Q: Is it possible to pull data for related services provided?
A: Not currentlyPreviously requested, so is on the
enhancement listWill be evaluated and implemented if possible
Question #14
Q: Is it possible to pull data by gender? A:
Currently: Instructional Setting “Gender By Disability” Instructional Setting Ad Hoc
Future: Child Count Disproportionality
Question #15
Q: If PBMAS indicator 17 is criticized and a high need especially in those regions with high LEP populations, why has it not been added to the Disporportionality reports?
A: No enhancement request to the “SPEARS Team” Better communication
Question #16
Q: Can reports be generated that utilize the same filters a PBMAS?
A: Need clarification.
Question #17
Q: Can SPEARS help track a cohort of students for graduation and drop out?
A: No, there is no cohort data available through
SPEARS (and no plan to).Submit explicit data requests to the Agency
Question #18
Q: I am still confused which PEIMS submission we are looking at.
A: See answer to question #1.
Question #19
Q: How far behind is it lagging? A: See answer to question #5.
Question #20
Q: Is it all from the same year? A:
No.See answer to question #5.
Question #21
Q: Can SPEARS access EDIT and for a more timely report?
A: No, for numerous reasons, data cannot be made available publicly until the PEIMS Edit collection process is completed.
Question #22
Q: It appears at times that the data conflicts with other sources of data (ie PBMAS)?
A: There will be discrepancies based on the rules used
to compile data. SPEARS goal was to provide a flexible, user-friendy
data analysis tool to non-data experts; PBMAS has totally different purpose.
Question #23
Q: How can we get the percent of sped student with disabilities on each campus or a combination of campuses or by district?
A: Need clarification on this percentage. Often percentage requirements require two reports,
but usually can be done in SPEARS. Example: % of LD students at Austin HS
1. Disproportionality Ad Hoc to get denominator (SE, GE#) 2. Child Count Ad Hoc to get numerator (LD)
Conclusion
Closing comments/questionsEmails
[email protected] (subject line: SPEARS) [email protected]