In education, data is crucial. From day to day, educational establishment admin teams have to handle a myriad of different figures. More than five million administrators are working in education across the US.
However, admissions are always rising. With more students graduating year by year, data piles up. The need for clear, concise data has never been more critical
Data challenges in education come in a variety of forms for colleges and schools. While it may be simple to assume that merely storing data records digitally is organization enough, this is rarely the case. In the modern age, data needs to be streamlined and easy to access.
What’s more, admissions information data must be available in practical, user-friendly silos.
Much in the same way that paperwork can grow disorganized, so can digital data records. Simple databases may not always alert school administrators when they are handling duplicate records. This can lead to the unnecessary filing of data to separate student records, for example.
In the long run, that could result in confusion for admissions staff, students, and faculty members. Poorly managed data could result in examination results posted to incorrect profiles. In the worst-case scenarios, it may even result in students being unable to progress with their studies.
There are more than 130,000 pre-college educational bodies in the US. That is a lot of data to compile and organize. Therefore, keeping records streamlined is a must. Otherwise, duplicate data could result in making matters more confusing.
As we all know, schools and colleges rely on timetables. They help students understand when to attend classes. They also assist faculty members in preparing their lesson plans ahead of time.
Without an efficient timetable system, schools could fall behind in various ways. Studies show that, while timetabling appears to be becoming more flexible around student needs, the process is increasingly complex. This means that schools and colleges are struggling to manage an increasingly tricky data planning situation.
Therefore, it is only reasonable that admissions admins look for tools to help manage their wider school. Simple calendar programs may no longer be enough. With thousands of students and only a handful of faculty members to account for, data management and logistics support is necessary. Equations like these are not always so easy to manage with a simple timesheet alone!
Sources suggest that lining up a ‘master record’ for each US student is an inherently difficult process. According to Soma Metrics, this will require different bodies to work together to the same data and the same collection. In a perfect world, we will all be working with the same data. However, with so many bodies using so many different systems and methods, correlation isn’t always straightforward.
Students need master records to be clear and concise. When a student graduates high school, for example, they expect their records to move cleanly to the college they choose. There’s an expectation that data should move smoothly! However, administrators may not necessarily find this is the case.
There is, therefore, a challenge for schools and colleges to find a central, master data management solution. It may be impossible for all educational bodies in the US to agree on one single program. However, what is possible is for bodies to choose data cleaning and storage solutions that offer greater unification.
For example, schools and colleges may benefit from data managers who work with third-party programs. Acting as a central master record, such a manager may allow for simple export to various programs across the US. It is just one solution to master record problems we are facing nationwide.
Soma Metrics rightfully states that privacy, too, is a growing concern. In the age of social media and ‘Big Data,’ individuals want to know what happens to their information. Schools hold all manner of data on students. Said data likely includes home addresses, dates of birth, and even projected grades.
It is all information that needs safeguarding. Parents and students all need reassurance that the data buck stops with the institution. However, Soma believes that concern is growing regarding data handling in education.
Therefore, it stands to reason that educational bodies need to be clear on the data they pull. Not only that, but they must be ready to show families what they intend to do with it. Even beyond this, safeguarding data is a must. Unfortunately, data can be big money for the wrong parties. Students and their families must have complete reassurance.
It’s essential, therefore, that administrators are able to secure all data. They must agree to data protection policies. They must also understand how to protect sensitive records and the risks involved. We no longer live in a day and age when report cards can be thrown around with wild abandon
WinPure is data cleansing software that can help to eradicate many of the problems which arise through Educational data management. It is already in use at Harvard Graduate School, the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and Washington University.
WinPure offers clean methods for managing master records. Our software focuses on normalizing and standardizing data for ease of access and understanding. Without a clear data consensus in the educational sector, there are likely to be disputes over the ‘truth.’
WinPure’s data matching will also ensure complete, concise student records. The result is no duplication or unnecessary data overwriting. It also results in more comprehensive records. There is no longer a need to refer to multiple databases!
US education needs data management, which is efficient, automated, and crystal clear. WinPure could offer you the clarity and purity of data your school administration demands. Be sure to take a close look at our award-winning software now or call the team for a free consultation.
We’re here to help you get the most from your data.
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