Getting Started as a New VDC Member
The information on this page is meant to help supervisory unions/districts that are new to the Vermont Data Consortium (VDC) understand what will be available to them immediately and throughout the 2008-2009 school year. As outlined in the VDC-DOE Joint Announcement, several grants awarded to the DOE and VDC will allow the Education Data Warehouse (EDW) to be accessed by all Vermont SUs/SDs.
In summary, the initiative includes the following components:
- The VDC will extend "Basic" membership to the Vermont Data Consortium to all Vermont supervisory unions/districts between May 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009.
- Basic VDC membership includes access to the EDW Analysis Suite and the soon-to-be-launched EDW report portal.
- This membership will provide each SU/SD “central office” three EDW user accounts for the following positions:
- Each of three EDW users above will be provided a one-day "new user" training as well as an optional "advanced user" training.
- VDC staff will provide e-mail and phone support throughout the year to help troubleshoot any issues you may be having with the system.
Please read the additional information below to "get started" with your VDC Membership. Welcome aboard!
1. Read the VDC FAQ section of the website. Be sure to download and read the various documents that are linked in the FAQ. They will give you a short overview of both the VDC as an organization and the Education Data Warehouse (EDW) as a data analysis tool.
2. Go to the Trainings section of the website and sign up for a one-day "new user" training that fits your schedule. All new users must attend a one-day "new user" training before a secure user account is issued. A number of trainings are already available and will be held at the VDC/LAPDA training room in Montpelier. We are currently working with your local ESA to schedule additional regional trainings as well. We will have more information about these trainings soon. During the training you will be also receive training on applying FERPA to the EDW. You will be asked to sign a user confidentiality agreement before being provided your EDW user account.
3. Go to the EDW User Account page to enter information about the three central office staff that will have an EDW user account. These should be the same staff that are attending the training.
4. If you have additional questions about the information above or about additional services that the VDC offers contact Amy Cole, VDC Executive Director, or John Ferrara, VDC Data Coordinator.
Thank you!