Using School ERP Data to Uncover Insights and Plan for the Future

Using School ERP Data to Uncover Insights and Plan for the Future

Educational institutions collect vast amounts of data on students, staff, facilities, and operations through their cloud based school management system and other systems. This data can provide invaluable insights when systematically analyzed over time. Learning trends and patterns in enrollment, academic performance, staffing needs, facility usage, and other areas allows schools to make data-driven decisions and better plan for the future.

Analyzing Enrollment Trends

One major application is analyzing enrollment data from year to year to uncover trends. Schools can track total enrollment, enrollment by grade level, demographics of students, and other factors. Some questions this analysis can help answer:

• Is overall enrollment increasing or decreasing? How rapidly?
• Are certain grades or programs growing or declining?
• How have student demographics shifted over time?

Understanding these trends allows schools to project future enrollment, allocate resources effectively, and ensure adequate staffing and facilities are available where needed. If pre-K enrollment has risen 20% annually over the past 5 years, administrators know to expand pre-K classrooms and teachers. Examining demographics shows if more ESL instructors are needed to serve changing student populations.

Ongoing analysis can reveal if trends are accelerating, stabilizing, or reversing. This data informs budgeting, facility expansion, and hiring. Schools can spot opportunities for new programs and interventions based on evolving student needs shown in the data.

Predicting Future Staffing Needs

Using past enrollment data and projections, schools can forecast staffing requirements. If the trend shows 5% yearly growth in grades 6-8, the middle school faculty may need to expand next year. Examining subject-specific enrollment and class size data allows more precise estimates of teachers needed by department.

Understanding upcoming retirements and turnover also helps with staff planning. HR data from the school ERP system can provide insight on retirements. Exit interview trends can signal departments with high turnover that may need more new hires. Forecasting staff needs allows budgeting for new positions and better handling of transitions.

Optimizing Use of Facilities Over Time

Facility usage data reveals patterns that suggest opportunities to optimize available space. Analytics can show periods of peak and low usage for classrooms, sports facilities, and specialized spaces like computer labs.

Underused spaces during certain periods represent an opportunity to schedule additional activities. Data may reveal shifting program needs that justify redesigning or repurposing underutilized areas.

Analysis can also show where overcrowding happens consistently. This indicates a need to adjust schedules, add class sections, or expand facilities. Monitoring room occupancy rates, class sizes, and enrollment growth enables proper planning and resource allocation.

Identifying Trends in Academic Performance

Looking at performance data for cohorts of students as they advance year-to-year provides insights on program results. Are math scores improving or declining over time? How do certain student groups perform as they move up grade levels?

This data helps identify strengths to build on and problem areas needing intervention. Discovering that English learner students fall further behind peers in middle school grades suggests a need for more ESL support. Consistent declines in 10th grade PE performance could mean revising curriculum or activities.

Longitudinal data reveals the outcomes of academic programs. Schools can spot dips in learning during transitions like elementary to middle school. They can justify adding advanced classes in successful departments. Most importantly, tracking cohort data over time ensures all student groups get the support needed to excel.

Creating Data-Driven Improvement Plans

The insights uncovered from rigorous analysis of ERP data enable data-driven planning and improvement. Administrators can base difficult decisions like adding or cutting programs on observed trends instead of anecdotes or intuition.

When developing improvement plans, schools can set precise, measurable goals based on the baseline data. If 9th grade math scores lag by 20% for English learners, the goal may be reducing that achievement gap by 50% in 3 years. Data showing spikes in vandalism incidents could spur a targeted anti-vandalism campaign aiming to reduce incidents by 30% next semester.

Ongoing data collection provides an objective measure of plan success. Reviewing the latest trends also suggests adjustments. Plans must evolve with emerging needs revealed in updated data. With regular analysis of ERP data, schools assess outcomes, meet evolving needs, and plan strategically for the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using School Data

What are some examples of school ERP systems?

Some top education ERP platforms include Ellucian Banner, Jenzabar, PowerSchool SIS, Skyward, and Tyler SIS. These systems manage student information, grades, staffing, finance, facilities, transportation, and other school operations in one integrated system.

What types of data might a school analyze?

Schools can analyze trends in enrollment, academic achievement, student demographics, staffing levels, facilities usage, finances, transportation usage, club participation, disciplinary incidents, and much more.

How can data uncover inequities?

Detailed analysis of achievement, enrollment, and opportunity data for specific student groups often reveals gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged populations. Looking at subgroup trends enables schools to address inequities.

How often should schools analyze this data?

Ideally, schools take a look at data from their ERP and other systems at least once a semester. More frequent monthly or quarterly analysis provides greater insights and agility. Annual reviews are less useful for strategic planning and improvement.

How can schools predict future needs?

Analyzing multi-year trends in enrollment, staffing ratios, and facilities usage enables reasonably accurate forecasts of needs 2-3 years out. This allows sufficient time for budgeting, hiring, construction, and other future planning.

In summary, the extensive data schools collect holds remarkable potential for driving improvement when harnessed properly. Analyzing trends over time leads to data-driven decision making, optimal resource allocation, and equitable support for all student populations. With quality analysis and planning, ERP data unlocks a brighter future.