SRCD State Policy Fellow Portfolio Abstracts: Mayra Parada

Portfolio Entry 1: Student Record Collection

Project Overview:

Background: The state education agency recently implemented a new Student Record Collection (SRC), which is a data system that tracks children throughout their time in the public school system. A major contribution of the SRC is that it will more accurately reflect the number of students, including those in the state’s preschool initiative, than the previous system. A more accurate count of students will ensure funding is more accurately assigned.

Goal: To provide documentation for data entry and trouble-shooting issues in the state education agency’s SRC data system.

Contributions of Fellow:

• Developed a document that provides information about how to enter data into the state education agency’s new data system, SRC.

Activity Focus Keywords: Data Management System
Policy Area Keywords: Student Record Collection (SRC)

Portfolio Entry 2: Variance Report

Project Overview:

Goal: To investigate discrepancies in projected state preschool enrollment numbers from those entered in the Student Record Collection (SRC) and related data management systems.

Contributions of Fellow:

• Conducted telephone interviews with preschool coordinators.
• Met with state education agency leadership and gave presentation on findings.

Activity Focus Keywords: Conduct Interviews
Policy Area Keywords: Student Record Collection (SRC)

Portfolio Entry 3: State Governance

Project Overview:

Background: In December 2017 a joint legislative and audit commission produced a report on early childhood education programs that included recommendations on professional development. Based on this report, the state education agency is interested in investigating infrastructure needs and supports for early childhood education programs.

Goal: To conduct research on the top eight state-funded preschool programs noting the structure and staff size of the office/agency, classroom observational tools, and data management systems.

Contributions of Fellow:

• Conducted research and wrote up report on variation in state-funded preschool programs’ classroom observational tools and methods and how data management systems are implemented.

Activity Focus Keywords: Written Report, Data Management System
Policy Area Keywords: State-Funded Preschool, Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K), Professional Development, Classroom Quality

Portfolio Entry 4: Fellowship Panel

Project Overview:

Background: The National Research Conference on Early Childhood provides an opportunity to share information about the SRCD State Policy Fellowship experience including developing a session. The session will provide prospective fellows, current and former SRCD Federal Policy Fellows, and conference attendees information about the nature of the SRCD State Policy Fellowship program. The session also offers an opportunity for networking among fellows with each other, academic mentors, placement sites, and researchers in the field. Panelists will include scholars of color from immigrant backgrounds, which provides a unique perspective.

Goal: To participate in a panel about the SRCD State Policy Fellowship Program at the National Research Conference on Early Childhood.

Contributions of Fellow:

• Conceptualized and organized panel for conference.
• Submitted conference proposal.
• Participated in panel.

Activity Focus Keywords: Presentation
Policy Area Keywords: National Research Conference on Early Childhood (NRCEC)