In this article, researchers Dick M. Carpenter II and Grant Clayton explore common enrollment systems (CESs)--how they work and what school leaders can learn from districts that have implemented CESs. Denver, New Orleans, and Newark (New Jersey) have rolled out this centralized enrollment process for all district-run and charter schools in their…

This paper demonstrates the importance of effective planning when using database application programs in exceptional education programs, to more efficiently track students' performance, keep vital information, and create desired reports. The described approach, called the ends-to-means model, calls for developing the database by designing the…

This paper describes the first-year results of Distributive Information Systems for Campuses (DISC), a project implemented in the Austin Independent School District (Texas). The goal was to increase the data access and information-generating capabilities of campuses by decentralizing data manipulation functions, while maintaining centralized data…

Describes the benefits and how to set up a georeferenced information system that contains standard student demographic data, the geographical location of each student, selected geographic location descriptors, growth factors attached to various land sections, and land usage and zoning. (MLF)

Designing a student database to meet your school's specific recordkeeping and reporting needs is described. Setting up a data file, listing categories, and generating reports are each illustrated. (MNS)

Describes New Haven (Connecticut) Public Schools' decentralized computer network system, which links its 42 schools electronically, keeps better track of students, and has allowed the district to centralize its school registration. A sidebar describes New Haven's computerized curriculum network designed to help teachers track students' daily…

Focuses on the major issues faced by a school district throughout the implementation of a financial management information system. Describes how commercially available software was tailored to the specific needs of a Virginia school district. (MLF)

Although effective schools research argues that careful monitoring, analysis, and discussion of student progress and program quality are central to improving education, educators' efforts are limited by the dispersion of student data throughout district files. The Instructional Decision Support System, used in a cooperative venture involving the…

Presents the results from the Association of School Business Officials' 1987 member survey on automation. Results indicate types of computers and software programs in use and the steps to follow in selection of computers and software for administrative uses. Includes a statistical breakdown on the 30 questions used in the survey and three tables.…

To realize the ultimate potential of a management information system in a local school district it will be necessary to address problems related to the system's data elements, the compliance mentality of vocational educators, and the lack of local expertise specific to the operation and utilization of these systems. (Author/IRT)

To meet growing demands for collecting and using quality information for decision-making, many U.S. school districts are developing database systems that increase their responsiveness to schools and communities. This paper describes how Long Beach Unified School District (California) designed and implemented a Database Management Information…

To mine a large store of school data, a new technology (variously termed data warehousing, data marts, online analytical processing, and executive information systems) is emerging. Data warehousing helps school districts extract and restructure desired data from automated systems and create new databases designed to enhance analytical and…

Developed to fill a gap in preservice and inservice training, the materials focus on training special education administrators and program specialists to use computers in program management. Materials include packets to be reproduced for participants as well as outlines, transparency masters, lists of audiovisual materials, and scripts for…

There are two basic approaches offered in current computerized transportation routing and scheduling programs: the mathematical programming approach and the intuitive optimization approach. Lists questions that an informed buyer should ask of the routing and scheduling company. (MLF)

Describes a computerized integrated data-base management system developed by the Colonial (Pennsylvania) School District, which is capable of extracting and combining data from separate data modules in any combination or form requested by district administrators. (JG)