AUGUST 5, 2015
Arizona Department of Education successfully launches new data system
Effort is first-of-its-kind in the U.S. and will serve as a model for the rest of the country
PHOENIX – Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas today announced the successful launch of AzEDS (Arizona Education Data Standards), Arizona’s new education data system. The historic transition to AzEDS represents a major milestone in the process of replacing Arizona’s current data system, SAIS, which has been dysfunctional for years.
“The accomplishments of our Information Technology (IT) team are nothing short of extraordinary,” said Superintendent Douglas. “They have done so much with so few resources and now their tireless work will reap untold benefits for Arizona schools and students. Having already been recognized as a Top 100 IT department worldwide by CIO Magazine, this effort only emphasizes how far they have come since their work began.”
AzEDS is expected to save schools and districts up to $57 million a year by reducing errors and improving efficiency with data collection. It will also greatly simplify reporting and improve data accuracy, which will save further money and allow teachers and administrators to focus on how data can help improve student achievement.
“After getting an initial look at AzEDS, we are excited about its prospects and its ability to provide Arizona schools with reliable data,” said Vail Unified School District SAIS Outreach Coordinator Norm Purdy. “We expect that the new system will save schools throughout the state substantial amounts of time and money. We are eagerly looking forward to the transition.”
One of the system’s most attractive features is that the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) worked collaboratively with 13 vendors to provide schools with options at the local level and ease the transition. This approach avoids the pitfalls often associated with a one-size-fits-all, single-vendor system.
“As a leader in Student Information System solutions, we are excited to partner with ADE on their industry-leading AzEDS project,” said PowerSchool Managing Director Bryan MacDonald. “Ambitious projects like AzEDS are often challenging, but we share ADE's vision and are committed to helping make AzEDS successful. While working to successfully complete the certification process for AzEDS with the ADE IT team, we were impressed with their ability to collaborate simultaneously with both schools and vendors throughout the state."
For more information on AzEDS, visit www.azed.gov/aelas/azeds/.
