Last summer, DESE published the Excel-based "DART" (District Analysis and Review Tool), available online at http://www.doe.mass.edu/sda/dart/. The DART offers a snapshot of district performance, allowing users to easily track select data elements over time, and make comparisons to the state or to "comparable" districts.
A variety of enhancements to the DART were published last week, including the addition of 2010-2011 SIMS data, new enrollment data, curriculum indicators, and graduation information. (Details are listed on the DART page linked above.)
There is also a brand-new file called "DART Detail: Finance and Staffing," the first in a series of DART files that will provide more detail in particular areas. This tool allows you to compare five districts and their three year trends in finance and staffing.
Of course, the most useful tool for most of us this week has been ... a shovel. Happy snow!
