Promoting technology as a valuable instructional resource is a priority for PREPS. We strive to associate ourselves with reputable partners who provide software that can be used as a tool to improve instruction and enhance students’ opportunities to learn.

PREPS Online Data Collection System

PREPS has developed and implemented the use of a secure, web-based (internet) and user-friendly interface for obtaining and warehousing vital data used in PREPS research and/or evaluations. The system has been in use since 2001 when it was developed to manage data for a large-scale 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) evaluation. Each data point is entered by a PREPS-trained data entry operator at each project site. The system serves a dual purpose by (1) assisting program administrators in determining their achievement toward goals and objectives and (2) meeting Annual Performance Reporting (APR) requirements. The system’s shell program can be used as a model for building other similar project specific sites. This method has benefited school districts by lowering the administrative costs associated with data collection and management.

PREPS provides hands-on assistance and guidance for new users and trains each coordinator/operator on proper data entry, problem solving, and validation procedures. A user’s guide (manual), login, and password information is provided to those successfully completing the training.

A partnership between PREPS and Teachers N’ Tools has enabled PREPS to bring powerful internet resources to teachers and students in Mississippi classrooms through the use of the netTrekker (original version) and netTrekker d.i. ™ search engine. This partnership allowed PREPS to negotiate a group volume pricing arrangement for PREPS districts interested in using this resource. Moreover, the partnership allowed PREPS to conduct training on the netTrekker and netTrekker d.i. in Mississippi school districts using Mississippi trainers who are familiar with the Mississippi frameworks and who have first-hand knowledge of state and local initiatives.

PREPS chose netTrekker and netTrekker d.i. because these engines offer teachers and students fast and easy access to more than 180,000 educator-selected, Mississippi standards-based online resources. Furthermore, netTrekker and netTrekker d.i. support a new state initiative by assigning each pre-screened resource a readability measure based on Lexile® ratings as well as eight other accepted methods. Finally, a complete section of netTrekker d.i. resources is devoted to customized English Language Learner (ELL) content to assist teachers in teaching ELL students, a growing population in Mississippi classrooms.

Although this partnership can also be viewed as a purchasing cooperative activity, PREPS views this effort as a project. PREPS previewed and introduced a comprehensive assessment tool, Edusoft ™, to school districts at our annual Winter Conference in 2003. Since that time, 14 school districts have purchased and implemented the product in their schools. Although extensive training has been offered on the use of the system, PREPS remains neutral on the choice of data management tools and works with districts as requested regardless of the actual system in place. Our focus began and remains on the use of technology to promote data driven instruction and decision making. We have acted on this mission through intensive, meaningful professional development opportunities that train district personnel how to use their data in a formative rather than summative way, again, regardless of the technology tool utilized in the district.