Following the release of the audit of Columbus City Schools, superintendent Dan Good wrote a letter to Auditor Dave Yost, outlining 17 steps the district would be taking to prevent another data-rigging scandal.
- Developed updated protocols for changing records (withdrawals, grade changes, etc.).
- Created a Student Withdrawal Checklist to help explain and track all aspects of the student withdrawal process.
- Implemented protocols in which student attendance data changes must be made within 15Â days of the date of the transaction.
- Centralized the enrollment process by establishing a Central Enrollment Center (opened in July, 2013), centralizing the processing of all new enrollments or changes in schools due to a change of address.
- Amended and drafted a new policy addressing student attendance and enrollment expectations.
- Re-established a District Attendance Accountability Team with specific staff members responsible for monitoring and reporting.
- Hired a Supervisor for Attendance & Student/Family Support to work on a number of initiatives designed to address attendance, truancy, and behavior/discipline and promote a positive school climate.
- Updated written instructions to principals regarding end-of-year EMIS data verification procedures, clarifying the areas of student records that should be reviewed for completeness, including demographic data, test results, discipline, missing data fields, etc.
- Added the responsibilities of Attendance Accountability Administrator to an existing position in order to develop and monitor truancy and attendance data systems.
- Installed a new and improved student information system (Infinite Campus) that will strengthen the Districtâs ability to collect and use data.
- Created an online âAttendance Toolboxâ? for students, parents and the general public to use in understanding the District's attendance policies, regulations, procedures and practices.
- Implemented a âWhistleblower Policyâ? to provide a confidential, anonymous process in which employees can report fraud, waste, or abuse claims.
- Implemented specific training for secretaries and Central Enrollment personnel regarding data entry and documentation requirements with respect to student records.
- Implemented a new system of notifying the Franklin County Juvenile Court and Registrar of Motor of Vehicles of student withdrawals, in accordance with Ohio law and Board of Education Policy 5131.3.
- Took steps resulting in the departure of specific staff members implicated as having direct involvement in student records changes.
- Established strict access protocols for data entry into student records.
- Implemented an automatic timed-out password system that requires staff to create new passwords every 90 days.