The Natrona County school board is considering two new policies regarding achievement and data use after its meeting on Monday night.

The first is a revised version of Board Policy 6220, which deals with school improvement. The policy was adopted in 1996 and was revised and re-adopted in 2000.

The revised policy states the district will use a school performance and accountability framework to promote excellence, provide guidance and assistance, honor improvement efforts and provide for flexibility and autonomy for excelling schools.

The second, Board Policy 6500, is a new policy that would deal with the use of data. Superintendent Joel Dvorak's recommended the board establish Natrona County as a "data-informed district," meaning schools and educators would use data to focus on measuring accountability.

"It's the board's way of saying data are indeed very important to us," said Mark Mathern, the associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

The proposed policy would establish support and priorities for aligning systems of information gathering, organization, protection and reporting.

An oversight group would be created if the policy is adopted. The group would establish administrative regulations, create an implementation plan that includes a budget and participate in the development of the district's strategic plan.

"Being informed by the right data is the foundation of continuous improvement," Dvorak said. "It's just incredibly important for us to inform our judgements. Having the right data is essential to that."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com. Read her blog at my.trib.com/jasasantos.

Board Policy Code 6500

Institutional Data

Institutional data - all information resources - are a valuable Natrona County School District resource. In order for the district to become truly "data informed," a comprehensive district information management system plan is required to protect, share, manage and grow confidence in information.

*The purpose of this policy is to protect this valuable resource, permit sharing of it through accurate and consistent definitions, and provide a coordinated approach to its use and management.

*This resource will be available to all persons who have a legitimate need consistent with district responsibility to preserve and protect such information.

*The district is the owner of all information resources, and all employees are stewards of the data.

*Unjustified barriers to accessing information resources will be avoided and removed.

Board Policy 6220

School Performance and Accountability

Natrona County School District has established procedures that carefully consider the concerns of parents, students, community members and staff regarding school improvement.

The district will utilize a set of guidelines to promote quality implementation of each school's plan for continuos improvement.

The district will utilize School Performance and Accountability Framework to:

*Promote excellent student achievement in all schools

*Provide guidance regarding accountability to various publics

*Honor improvement efforts

*Provide avenues of assistance for all schools

*Provide opportunities for flexibility and autonomy for excelling schools