No school is an island; it is a part of a continuum or a pipeline of institutions which together form an educational pipeline through which groups of students pass. To turn a body of data into useful information for knowledge-based decision-making at any level, data must be collected, organised, analysed and reflected upon. The purpose of this…

Data-based decision making has been the mantra of the school reform movement since the late 1980s, but California does not yet have an effective system for collecting and using vital school information. California has taken a number of steps to address this shortcoming. These include the Public School Accountability Act of 1999 and Senate bills…

State education data systems have often been described as data rich but information poor. Historically, these systems were created for compliance purposes and, therefore, designed and managed as information technology projects, but a culture change is under way. Educators and other stakeholders are beginning to value data as a tool to inform…

Studies the similarities and differences between data processing and word processing. Recommends the merger of the two technologies into a system that can provide both functions effectively. (SK)

State policymakers are increasingly focused on closing the achievement gap and preparing all students to succeed in school and in life. However, college and career readiness begins long before students enter high school or even a classroom. Differences in children's abilities appear as early as the first year of life, and research has shown that…

Based on artificial intelligence research, the frame based system for reasoning described in this paper is one of the components of an intelligent decision support system for an information system on petroleum resources and use which is being designed by the Information Methodology Research Project as the first step in the development of a…

This article discusses a procedure commonly called a systems study in which administrative personnel can evaluate systematically their information needs and can specify them in sufficient detail for technical specialists to make recommendations for possible improvements. (Author)

The adaptation of a centralized budget system to relate microcomputers to a mainframe and to distribute data to departmental users for their micros is described. (Author/MLW)

Executive management often holds a critical view of systems development. The reasons that systems development draws such negative attention are explored. The view of management can be reconciled with systems development--with attention to organizational continuity, cultivation of patience, development of sensitivity to people needs, etc.…

This paper describes an intelligent decision support system for information on petroleum resources and use currently being designed by the Information Methodology Research Project as the first step in the development of a comprehensive intelligent information system for dealing with energy resources in the United States. The system draws on…

The primary objective of this analysis was to determine the need for, feasibility of, and conceptual design of an automated educational management information system to serve the staff of the Nevada State Department of Education. The analysis was divided into three general procedural tasks: the assessment of information need, data availability…

Describes information architecture as a high-level map of the information requirements of a corporation that can be used as a base for developing effective information systems. Methodologies for development, problems involved, and benefits are discussed, several examples are cited, and prescriptive recommendations are given. (Author/LRW)

The Division of Computer Services at the University of Wyoming is a combined academic and administrative installation. Administrative systems are developed through a team approach, with representatives from the user office, the Institutional Data Management group, and the Division of Computer Services. (MLW)

Purpose: To show how a combination of hard and soft project and change management methodologies guided successful in-house development of a campus-wide information system. Design/methodology/approach: A case study of the methodologies and management structures that guided the development is presented. Findings: Applying a combination of the…

This paper surveys recent conceptual and empirical work related to development of decision-oriented frameworks for management information systems design, particularly as related to improving the management of organizations. (Author)