State Data Collection Relative to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program
Mike Herrmann
Executive Director
Office of School Safety and Learning Support
Tennessee Department of Education
February 20, 2007
Uniform Management Information and Reporting System
•	Truancy Rates
•	The frequency, seriousness, and incidence of violence and drug-related offenses resulting in suspension and expulsions in elementary schools and secondary schools in the State
•	The types of curricula, programs, and services provided by the chief executive officer, the State educational agency, local educational agencies, and other recipients of funds …….
•	The incidence and prevalence, age of onset, perception of health risk, and perception of social disapproval of drug use and violence by youth in schools and communities.
Truancy
•	Very difficult to arrive at a uniform definition.
•	Excused vs. unexcused absences.
•	Closely tied to larger local and state data collection challenges.
Incidents of Violence and Drug-Related Offenses
•	Generally uniform definitions within States, but subject to local interpretation.
•	More valuable as a trend measure than a comparison measure.
•	Generally dependent upon disciplinary action.  Some states collect “Incident” data.
•	Tennessee collects “zero tolerance” and victims of violent crime data separate from discipline reports.
Types of curricula, programs, services, etc.
•	Identifies how SDFS funds are being expended.
•	May not accurately capture scope or fidelity of implementation.
Incidence and Prevalence, etc.
•	Generally obtained through surveys and frequently available only at state level.
•	In TN, Youth Risk Behavior Survey is administered statewide every other year.
•	Some schools/districts use other surveys such as PRIDE and report enhanced local buy-in. 
•	Barriers to localized data include cost, FERPA, resistance from parents and educators, multiple survey requests.
Other State-Level Data Elements
•	Persistently Dangerous Schools Criteria
•	SDFS Performance Targets
•	Gun Free Schools Act
•	Kids Count
•	AYP/Other Academic Data
•	School Improvement/Climate Surveys
•	Juvenile Court