Thurday Churn: State’s data score improves

What’s churning:

The Data Quality Campaign, a national group that analyzes the strength of state education data system, has found that Colorado has eight of the 10 components the campaign considers necessary for a strong data system.

The state still needs to work on its teacher identifier system and develop student-by-student data on course completion. Department of Education officials noted the state is working on both, particularly the teacher ID. Colorado last year received a $17.4 million federal data grant last year that’s being used for the work.

The campaign’s report also recognized Jason Martinez of the Denver Public Schools as its district data leader. Martinez is the district’s director of assessment and was honored for work in providing better data for teachers.

You can find out more about the campaign’s 2010 report here and see CDE’s statement here.

Senate Bill 11-126, the proposal that would make undocumented high school graduates eligible for resident undergraduate tuition rates, has its first hearing this afternoon in the Senate Education Committee.

The bill, a version of which died in the Senate two years ago, is expected to spark lively debate and testimony about the needs of hard-working students and about illegal immigration. Supporters of the measure this year are pitching it as good for Colorado’s economy.

You can listen in on the hearing here on the legislature’s online audio feed.

What’s on tap:

Denver school board, 4 p.m., 900 Grant St. Agenda

Jefferson County school board, 7 p.m., 1829 Denver West Drive, Bldg. 27, Golden. Agenda

Good reads from elsewhere: