Data-Focused Professional Development, Tools, and Support

Data email ListServ – eData Tech Support

The eData Tech Support project provides information throughout the program year via an email ListServ. The ListServ provides announcements about upcoming webinars, eData updates, and information about the eData Access template. All staff who work with data are encouraged to sign up to receive these emails. Staff wishing to be added to the ListServ can email eData Tech Support at edatatechsupport-l@lists.psu.edu.

Data-focused Courses Available in the PD Portal (consult your agency’s IHPDS prior to enrollment):

Staff Induction Modules (self-paced PD Portal courses): These courses provide an introductory overview and foundational knowledge of the selected topics.

• Quality Data Flow: Processes and Roles – This module provides an overview of the processes and best practices related to the collection of adult education data, which includes but is not limited to, eData v2 information. Participants will learn the importance of timely, accurate, and complete data collection. This module also covers various topics related to the types of program data adult education agencies collect, including the flow process for each type of data and the role that all staff members play in support of data collection.
• Student Intake and Orientation Overview – This module provides guidance on understanding the agency intake and orientation process. The module reviews the guidelines for intake and orientation, including key elements, as well as barrier screening, initial transition goal setting, and how intake and orientation relate to the NRS Data Collection Process.
• Using Assessments to Determine Measurable Skill Gains – This module provides an overview of how measurable skill gains of learners can be measured based upon the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This module will focus specifically on how to use pre- and post-test assessments to determine educational functioning levels and measurable skill gain. It will also review the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Adult Education assessment policy, D. 100.
• Data Quality Friday Lunchtime Webinars: This ‘course’ in the PD Portal provides information about the Friday Lunchtime webinar series, including the Data Quality Webinars. While designed for staff in the Data Quality Specialist role, the Data Quality webinars are open to all staff who are interested in being informed about eData, the eData Access template, and data topics. Once enrolled in this PD Portal course, participants have access to webinar links and recordings.

  Introduction to eData (Adult Basic Education and Family Literacy sections): This customized course provides training on using the eData data collection system for adult education. Staff who enter data in eData are required to take this course per Adult Education and Family Literacy Guidelines Section 502.

  Improving Your Agency’s Data (customized PD Portal course): This course focuses on the agency data lifecycle and the processes an agency uses to facilitate data movement through it. This course is recommended to be taken by an agency data team, to help build capacity in addressing data challenges, improve staff confidence and communication when working with data, and to inform Agency Data Policy revisions. Agencies are welcome to take this course more than once as their data and staffing needs change.

  Data Detective (customized PD Portal course): This course provides a framework to examine data to identify areas of program strength and improvement. It will help to affirm as well as challenge existing assumptions about program services and provide guidance on using the data to identify the whys behind what it is showing so that you can ensure that all learners are reaching their goals. While individuals can take this course, programs will benefit from having a team of participants take the course. This course will help program staff dive deeper into their data and identify areas for program improvement.