The K-12 Student Coursework dataset is course-level data that provides information on each course taken by students. Taken from the Michigan Department of Educations Teacher-Student Data Link (TSDL) system and beginning in 2011-12, Michigan public schools were required to submit course taking information to the state; failure to submit information may reduce a school or district’s performance scorecard. Within the coursework data, we can observe the courses students take, the grade received, credits earned, and the assigned teacher and course section.
Approximately 95% of students in the main K12 student enrollment data are accounted for in the coursework data during the years for which we have comprehensive data (2012-2015). The student’s unique ID (RIC) can be linked to the student and assessment databases. The teacher’s unique id (RPIC) can be linked to the Employment database, which includes more detailed data on the teacher’s background) and certifications.
Beginning in 2015-16, Michigan public schools were only required to report students that fit into the following categories:
- Migrant education participants (grades 9-12)
- Dual enrollment participants (grades 9-12)
- Early middle College participants (grades 9-12)
- Advanced and accelerated learning (AP/IB) participants (All Grades)
- Virtual/online learning participants (All grades).
There are numerous challenges to using the coursework data. First, there are more than 15 million course-level observations for each academic year. Second, a “course” does not have the same clear meaning for students in grades K-8 (especially K-5) as it does for students in high school. Indeed, over 95% of courses in grades K-5 yield zero credits earned compared to 15-20% of courses yielding zero credits in high school (mostly for receiving a failing grade). Nearly two-thirds of course observations in grades K-5 have a missing grade, compared to 10% missing in grades 6-8 and less than 1% missing in grades 9-12. There are other challenges in assigning course grades, credits, and a “main” teacher described later in this memo.
For many potential projects, researchers may wish to use a student-by-year level file, where the observations includes the student’s GPA, total credits earned, courses attempted and passed, class sizes, teacher assignments in core academic subjects, and levels of courses taken (AP, honors, etc.).
Codebook
Category Sort descending | Variable | Description |
---|---|---|
Category: Special Education | Variable: ELIGIBILITY_REASON_NAME_2 |
Description: The name/descriptor of the area of developmental delay or the established condition identified on the child's IFSP by which the child’s eligibility was determined. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: PART_C_EXIT_REASON_CODE |
Description: The reason (Code)given for a child discontinuing services through Part C. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: EO_SERVICE_CODE_5 |
Description: The code for the Individual Education Plan (IEP)-designated program(s), or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) program(s), in which the student is participating. This is not to be confused with the student's type of disability. The student's program assignment is not required to match his/her impairment. (E.g., a student does not have to be diagnosed as early childhood developmentally delayed to participate in an early childhood special education program.) |
Category: Special Education | Variable: CURRENT_IFSP_DATE |
Description: The date of the child's most recent Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). --This data element is consistent with the field Plan Date in MICIS. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: IFSP_TIMELINESS_NAME |
Description: The name that indicates if the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) was completed within the required timeline. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: ELIGIBILITY_REASON_NAME_6 |
Description: The name/descriptor of the area of developmental delay or the established condition identified on the child's IFSP by which the child’s eligibility was determined. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: REFERRAL_AGENCY |
Description: The name of the type of agency that notified the responsible agency the child may potentially be eligible for Part C services. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: ELIGIBILITY_REASON_CODE_2 |
Description: The code used to identify the area of developmental delay or the established condition identified on the child's IFSP by which the child’s eligibility was determined. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: ELIGIBILITY_REASON_NAME_5 |
Description: The name/descriptor of the area of developmental delay or the established condition identified on the child's IFSP by which the child’s eligibility was determined. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: EO_SERVICE_NAME_2 |
Description: The name of the Individual Education Plan (IEP)-designated program(s), or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) program(s), in which the student is participating. This is not to be confused with the student's type of disability. The student's program assignment is not required to match his/her impairment. (E.g., a student does not have to be diagnosed as early childhood developmentally delayed to participate in an early childhood special education program.) |
Category: Special Education | Variable: TRANSITION_CONF_TIMELINESS_NAME |
Description: Part C Indicator 8 C: Indicate if the transition IFSP conference was held within the required timeframe (at least 90 days but not more than nine months prior to the toddler's third birthday). |
Category: Special Education | Variable: PRIM_SERVICE_SETTING_CODE |
Description: The code for the environment in which the majority of the services are being provided to the child. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: PART_C_EXIT_DATE |
Description: The date on which the child ceased receiving Part C services. --This data element is consistent with the field Status Date in MICIS. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: EO_SERVICE_NAME_1 |
Description: The name of the Individual Education Plan (IEP)-designated program(s), or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) program(s), in which the student is participating. This is not to be confused with the student's type of disability. The student's program assignment is not required to match his/her impairment. (E.g., a student does not have to be diagnosed as early childhood developmentally delayed to participate in an early childhood special education program.) |
Category: Special Education | Variable: EO_AS_OF_DATE |
Description: The date a new record was entered for a student. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: ELIGIBILITY_REASON_CODE_1 |
Description: The code used to identify the area of developmental delay or the established condition identified on the child's IFSP by which the child’s eligibility was determined. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: IFSP_TIMELINESS_CODE |
Description: The code that indicates if the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) was completed within the required timeline. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: REFERRAL_DATE |
Description: The date the lead agency or Education Information System (EIS) provider receives the referral of the child. |
Category: Special Education | Variable: TRANSITION_IFSP_TIMELINESS_NAME |
Description: Part C Indicator 8 A: Indicate if the transition plan in the IFSP was completed within the required timeframe (at least 90 days but not more than nine months prior to the toddler's third birthday). |
Category: Special Education | Variable: ELIGIBILITY_REASON_CODE_9 |
Description: The code used to identify the area of developmental delay or the established condition identified on the child's IFSP by which the child’s eligibility was determined. |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: WRI_IS_PROFICIENT |
Description: Flag denoting whether the student was proficient on the writing portion of the assessment. |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: STATE_FAY |
Description: Is the student considered a full academic year (FAY) participant for the state during this year (Y= Yes; N=No; U=Unknown). |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: SCHOOL_FAY |
Description: Is the student considered a full academic year (FAY) participant for the school during this year (Y= Yes; N=No; U=Unknown). |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: ELA_IS_PROFICIENT |
Description: Flag denoting whether the student was proficient on the English language arts portion of the assessment. (Y= Yes; N=No) |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: MTH_IS_PROFICIENT |
Description: Flag denoting whether the student was proficient on the mathematics portion of the assessment. (Y= Yes; N=No) |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: DISTRICT_FAY |
Description: Is the student considered a full academic year (FAY) participant for the district during this year (Y= Yes; N=No; U=Unknown). |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: SOC_IS_PROFICIENT |
Description: Flag denoting whether the student was proficient on the social studies portion of the assessment. |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: SCI_IS_PROFICIENT |
Description: Flag denoting whether the student was proficient on the science portion of the assessment. |
Category: Standard Assessment | Variable: RDG_IS_PROFICIENT |
Description: Flag denoting whether the student was proficient on the reading portion of the assessment. (Y= Yes; N=No) |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: MASKING |
Description: MASKING |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: AUDIO_PART_B |
Description: AUDIO PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_TEST_ENGLISH |
Description: LEP TEST ENGLISH |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: VISUAL_AIDS |
Description: VISUAL AIDS |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_OTHER_ACCOM_PART_A |
Description: LEP OTHER ACCOM PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: VIDEO_ARABIC |
Description: VIDEO ARABIC |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_DIR_AUDIO |
Description: LEP DIR AUDIO |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: STD_RSPND_BRAILLE |
Description: STUDENT RESPONDS USING BRAILLE WRITER OR BRAILLE NOTETAKER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: TEST_CONTENT_PROVIDED |
Description: TEST CONTENT PROVIDED IN ASL OR SEE (HUMAN SIGNER) |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: CD_PART_A |
Description: CD PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: MODIFIED_RESPONSE_FORMAT |
Description: MODIFIED RESPONSE FORMAT |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: NON_SPANISH_TRANSLATION |
Description: NON-SPANISH TRANSLATION |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: REPEAT_ITEM_AUDIO |
Description: REPEAT ITEM AUDIO |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: COMPUTER_ASSISTED |
Description: COMPUTER ASSISTED |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: NOISE_BUFFERS |
Description: NOISE BUFFERS |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: SPANISH_TRANSLATION |
Description: SPANISH TRANSLATION (STACKED) |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: MULTIDAY |
Description: MULTIDAY |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: BRAILLE_PART_B |
Description: BRAILLE PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_TEST_READER_ENG_PART_A |
Description: LEP TEST READER ENGLISH PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: REPEAT_LSTNG_TEST_RSPNSE_OTN |
Description: REPEAT LISTENING TEST RESPONSE OPTIONS BY HUMAN READER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_TEST_READER_ENG_PART_B |
Description: LEP TEST READER ENGLISH PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: ALTERNATE_RESPONSE |
Description: ALTERNATE RESPONSE |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_OTHER_ACCOM_PART_B |
Description: LEP OTHER ACCOM PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_TEST_DIRECTIONS_ENGLISH |
Description: LEP TEST DIRECTIONS ENGLISH |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: INTERPRETER_SIGN_TST_DIR |
Description: INTERPRETER SIGNS TEST DIRECTIONS IN ASL |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: EXTEND_SPKG_TST_RSPNSE_TIME |
Description: EXTENDED SPEAKING TEST RESPONSE TIME |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: CLOSED_CAPTIONING |
Description: CLOSED CAPTIONING |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: TEST_READ |
Description: TEST READ |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: BRAILLE_TEST_OR_WRITER |
Description: BRAILLE TEST OR WRITER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: REPEAT_TEST_ITEM |
Description: REPEAT TEST ITEMS BY HUMAN READER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: READ_ALOUD_LSTNG_RSPNSE_OPN |
Description: READ ALOUD LISTENING TEST RESPONSE OPTIONS BY HUMAN READER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_OTHER_ACCOM |
Description: LEP OTHER ACCOM |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: AUDIO_PART_A |
Description: AUDIO PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: OTHER_ACCOM_PART_B |
Description: OTHER ACCOM PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_TEST_READER_ENGLISH |
Description: LEP TEST READER ENGLISH |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LEP_TEST_DIRECTIONS_NATIVE |
Description: LEP TEST DIRECTIONS NATIVE |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: BRAILLE_PART_A |
Description: BRAILLE PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: REVERSE_CONTRAST |
Description: REVERSE CONTRAST |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: OTHER_APPROVED_ACCOMMODATION |
Description: OTHER APPROVED ACCOMMODATION |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: MODIFIED_PRESENTATION_FORMAT |
Description: MODIFIED PRESENTATION FORMAT |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: STANDARD |
Description: STANDARD |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: BRAILLE |
Description: BRAILLE |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LARGE_PRINT_PART_B |
Description: LARGE PRINT PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: COLOR_CHOOSER |
Description: COLOR CHOOSER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: L1_GLOSSARY |
Description: L1 GLOSSARY |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: VIDEO_ENGLISH |
Description: VIDEO ENGLISH |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: TEST_READ_PART_A |
Description: TEST READ PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LARGE_PRINT |
Description: LARGE PRINT |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: AMPLIFICATION_SYSTEM |
Description: AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LARGE_PRINT_BOOKLET |
Description: LARGE PRINT BOOKLET |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: MODIFIED_TEST_DIRECTIONS |
Description: MODIFIED TEST DIRECTIONS |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: SCRIBE_ELA_WRITING |
Description: SCRIBE - ELA WRITING ITEMS |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: VIDEO |
Description: VIDEO |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: OTHER_ACCOM_PART_A |
Description: OTHER ACCOM PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: STD_ASST_TECH_RSPND_TST_ITEM |
Description: STUDENT USES ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO RESPOND TO TEST ITEMS |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: STD_RSPND_ORALLY |
Description: STUDENT RESPONDS ORALLY USING EXTERNAL AUGMENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION DEVICE OR SOFTWARE |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: CALCULATOR |
Description: CALCULATOR |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: SCRIBE |
Description: SCRIBE |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: ENGLISH_GLOSSARY |
Description: ENGLISH GLOSSARY |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: WORD_PROCESSOR |
Description: WORD PROCESSOR |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: STD_RSPND_RECORD_DEVICE |
Description: STUDENT RESPONDS USING A RECORDING DEVICE, WHICH IS PLAYED BACK AND TRANSCRIBED BY THE STUDENT |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: ENGLISH_DICTIONARY |
Description: ENGLISH DICTIONARY |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: READ_ALOUD_ELA_PASSGES |
Description: READ ALOUD - English Language Arts (ELA) PASSAGES |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: TEST_READ_PART_B |
Description: TEST READ PART B |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: EXTEND_TESTING_TIME |
Description: EXTENDED TESTING TIME WITHIN THE SCHOOL DAY |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: AUDIO |
Description: AUDIO |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: AUDIO_AMP_DEVICE |
Description: AUDIO AMP DEVICE OR NOISE BUFFER |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: WORD_PRCESSOR_RSPND_TST_ITEM |
Description: WORD PROCESSOR OR SIMILAR KEYBOARDING DEVICE TO RESPOND TO TEST ITEMS |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: EXTEND_TESTING_SESSION |
Description: EXTENDED TESTING SESSION OVER MULTIPLE DAYS FOR A SINGLE DOMAIN |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: LARGE_PRINT_PART_A |
Description: LARGE PRINT PART A |
Category: Testing Accommodations | Variable: MAGNIFCATN_OR_LOW_VISION_AID |
Description: MAGNIFICATION OR LOW VISION AIDS |