Draft Letter to the State Directors

United States Department of Education

office of elementary and secondary education

MEMORANDUM

TO: State Directors of Migrant Education

FROM: Lisa Ramirez

Director, Office of Migrant Education

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

SUBJECT: Renewal of the Migrant Student Information Exchange (MSIX) Minimum Data Elements (MDE)

This is to inform you that the MSIX MDE have been revised and are currently posted for comment in the Federal Register at the following link. The current MDE was approved (OMB #1810-0683) and will expire November 30, 2010.

We are requesting a three-year renewal of the existing package and the addition of three data elements to the collection and two additional values to the Assessment Type data element. The new MDE will: (1) allow greater ability to share migrant student records when students make intrastate moves across district lines; (2) determine student progress towards meeting college readiness; and 3) clearly indicate those students attending public, private, or home schools. The Department proposes to make these modifications due to questions and feedback we received from States during implementation of the MSIX and state consultation meetings.

Summary of Proposed New Minimum Data Elements

1. School District ID – Currently we collect the school district name which is not always easily matched with the school district name in the EDfacts reference data. In order to match the student’s school district more effectively, we are requesting States provide the EDfacts-assigned school district identification number in all cases.

2. District of Residence – The district of residence is necessary to facilitate the transfer of records for children who make intrastate as well as interstate moves across district lines. Since not all migrant children are attending school (e.g. out-of-school youth, non-pre-school children), the school district ID cannot be used to determine intrastate moves in all cases.

3. School Type – The school type indicates whether a child is attending public, private or home school and can be used for school enrollment purposes.

Summary of Changes to Existing Data Elements

The following values will be added as data element values for the existing minimum data element “assessment type”.

1. SAT Score – The SAT score is necessary to help determine college readiness and identify areas where support services may be necessary to improve the child’s test scores.

2. ACT Composite Score – The ACT composite score is necessary to help determine college readiness and identify areas where support services may be necessary to improve the child’s test scores.

If you have questions or comments on the proposed changes to the MDE, please notify the [email protected]. The comment period expires on ______________.

We appreciate your continued support of the MSIX.

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The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.