ISES and WSLS Update

DATE:	December 22, 2004 (Email)
TO:	All WSLS/ISES Administrators
FROM:	Jean Whitcomb, Education Data Consultant
SUBJECT:	ISES and WSLS Update

PRELIMINARY FALL 2004 ENROLLMENT COUNTS

Over the past several weeks districts have been working to ensure their WSLS enrollments are complete and current so fall 2004 enrollment counts could be shared outside DPI and used on a preliminary basis. We had hoped that these preliminary counts could be made available on December 20. Based on feedback and observations, we believe many districts now have complete and current WSLS enrollments. However, other districts need more time with WSLS before the fall 2004 WSLS enrollment counts can be used for anything other than local review and planning purposes.

For example, last month when comparing district enrollment counts generated by the PI-1290 in fall 2003 with those generated by WSLS for fall 2004, we noticed that about half of Wisconsin districts had at least a 10% change in enrollment. As of Monday, 18% of districts had at least a 10% change in enrollment. This is better but is still more year-to-year change than expected. Based on past experience we'd expect 3-4 % of districts to report this type of enrollment change from one year to the next.

While many districts have made significant progress, the DPI does not believe the WSLS fall enrollment counts are reliable enough from all districts to publish preliminary counts on a statewide basis. We will continue to mark any WSLS counts as DRAFT and DRAFT preliminary counts will only be available for limited purposes in order to minimize unintended and inappropriate use. We will not provide links from DPI Web pages to these draft counts at this time.

Please continue to work to update/correct WSLS data as needed. Failure to keep WSLS complete and current WILL CAUSE ISES file upload FAILURE. DPI will continue to periodically post draft counts (no links from DPI Web pages) for district review. Each revised set of draft counts will include a change in sequence number but will otherwise have the same URLs as the last set of draft counts.

As you know, it will not be possible to submit ISES data online without matching WSLS records. For more information about ISES, go to http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/isesapp.html. A good way to check records included in your district's WSLS counts is to follow the steps provided at http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/wslscount.html.

Issues related to submitting the WSLS enrollment this fall are expected to be one-time issues associated with this being the first WSLS collection year. We do not plan to provide preliminary or draft counts in this manner after this year. We believe that the collection of 2005-06 enrollment data in the fall of 2005 will result in timely enrollment data reporting.

ISES - DELEGATED AUTHORITY

WSLS/ISES Administrators may begin using the Delegated Authority Web Application to grant access to ISES. Access will be by school or district and by ISES function. The process used to grant authority will be similar to that used for WSLS. You can find ISES user functions and roles on the Delegated Authority Web page (http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/delauthapp.html#ises_access ). The ISES Web Application will first become available in February.

ISES - VENDOR CERTIFICATION

Student information system vendors and districts with self-maintained student information systems can seek certification for ISES file transactions. One vendor has been certified so far, and another vendor is in the process of becoming certified. For more information, go to http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/isescert.html

ISES - TRAINING

ISES training is scheduled for February 1 - 17. On-site presentations are being planned for several locations based on feedback received after the WSLS training. We also plan to provide a few Distance Education Network Presentations between those dates. More information will be posted to http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/isessupprt.html within the next week.

ISES - CALCULATED FIELDS

Certain fields and codes will be auto-generated by ISES. For more information, go to http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/isesapp.html and click on the "Calculated Fields" link under the "Go to ISES Web Application" line.

WSLS/ISES HELP DESK

Email: dpistats@dpi.wi.gov
Phone: 800-507-5744.

Help desk support will be available over winter break except on Dec. 24, 27, and 31. Since the dpistats mailbox is used for multiple data collections, please include your district name and WSLS or ISES in the subject line of email messages.

Let us know if you have questions or concerns.

cc: DPI list of vendors with active district technology contracts

State Superintendent's Education Data Advisory Committee

CESA School Improvement Services Directors

Submit questions, comments, and suggestions about the WSLS or ISES to dpistats@dpi.wi.gov or call 1-800-507-5744.

Submit questions regarding the ESEA Report Card Requirements to dpieseadata@dpi.wi.gov.

For help with this page contact the DPI Helpdesk Expert

Last updated on 2/28/2008 7:56:16 AM