DaSy: Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems

Learn About DaSy Photo of adult and child holding hands The DaSy Center is a national technical assistance center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). DaSy works with states to support IDEA early intervention and early childhood special education state programs in the development or enhancement of coordinated early childhood longitudinal data systems. DaSy provides technical assistance (TA) and resources to state agencies to assist with the development or enhancement of data systems for Part C early intervention and Part B preschool special education programs supported through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The DaSy Center collaborates with other projects to leverage what is known and generate new ideas and products to help state agencies create and expand early childhood cross-agency and longitudinal data systems that include the Part C and Part B preschool data needed to collect, analyze, and report high-quality data required under IDEA. Intended Outcomes Increase the number of states that have an early childhood data system with data from Part C and Part B preschool state programs that meets recommended data system capabilities and elements. Increase the number of states with data system interoperability plans that allow for the linking of Part C and Part B preschool statewide data systems to other statewide longitudinal and early learning data systems, and that comply with all applicable privacy laws. Increase the number of states that use integrated early childhood and longitudinal data systems to improve their capacity to collect, analyze, and report high-quality data required under IDEA. Goals Generate new knowledge and useful products for Part C and Part B preschool state agencies to use in the development and enhancement of state integrated early childhood data systems with linkages to the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS). Design and implement a continuum of TA services for state Part C and Part B preschool staff and other staff, employing strategies that are evidence-based, useful, and cost-effective. Provide national leadership and coordination around Part C and Part B preschool data systems and their inclusion in integrated early childhood and longitudinal state efforts to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of national and state resources. Key Activities The DaSy Center conducts activities in three major areas: Knowledge Development. Center staff works with Part C and Part B preschool state agencies to identify the status of their efforts to develop and enhance the data systems that contain their Part C and Part B preschool data and develop and enhance linkages between Part C and Part B preschool data and data from other early childhood programs. Early in the project, the Center staff worked with a small set of partner states to develop the DaSy Data System Framework, which identifies critical components and processes for data system development that are needed to report high-quality data required under IDEA. The Center has continued to develop resources to support the use of the framework by Part C and Part B preschool state agencies in all states. TA and Dissemination. Center staff provide a continuum of general, intensive, and targeted TA and dissemination activities for Part C and Part B preschool state agency staff. Using the DaSy Framework as a guide, the Center works with states to develop and implement a TA work plan based on priorities identified by the Part C and Part B preschool programs. The Center has used what we learned through intensive TA to develop guidance documents and tools for all states to promote critical data system capabilities/elements needed to collect, analyze, and report high-quality data that are required under IDEA. Targeted and general TA activities include convening national meetings; conducting topical meetings or workshops on data system topics; forming and supporting a variety of communities of practice; holding national teleconferences and webinar series; and developing online, print, and video training materials. Dissemination includes sharing information through presentations at national meetings, e-mail lists, and our user-friendly website. Leadership and Coordination. Throughout the project, the Center has sought guidance from a diverse group of stakeholders to ensure that the Center’s work is addressing critical needs of those in early intervention and preschool special education as well as the general early childhood field. The Center staff communicates and collaborates with other OSEP-funded TA projects to coordinate, leverage and maximize the TA resources available to states. The DaSy Center is in a 1-year extension of a 5-year collaborative effort of five institutions: SRI International Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Applied Engineering Management (AEM) Corporation Westat Center for Technology in Education (CTE) at Johns Hopkins University In addition, the Center has a strong cadre of expert consultants who can be called upon to support Center activities. These experts bring deep knowledge and extensive experience about Part C and Part B preschool programs, policies and regulations, personnel, and state early childhood service and data systems. The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. The information on the DaSy website does not necessarily reflect the views of OSEP.