Information Services

February Informational Meetings Scheduled for Statewide Rollout of EPIMS

To:

Superintendents and Charter School Leaders

From:

SIMS Coordinators and HR Directors

From:

David P. Driscoll, Commissioner of Education

Date:

January 10, 2007

The Department will implement the Education Personnel Information Management System (EPIMS) on a mandatory basis to all districts in 2007. The first statewide EPIMS data collection period will be from October 1 - December 31, 2007. EPIMS will replace the DSSR (District School Staffing Report) which currently reports similar information on an aggregate basis. Please register soon for one of the four EPIMS Informational Meetings that have been scheduled: Friday, February 2 at the DOE in Malden, 9 AM to noon
Wednesday, February 7 at Ayer High School, 9 AM to noon
Friday, February 9 at Meline Kasparian P.D. Center in Springfield, 9 AM to noon
Wednesday, February 14 at Brockton High School, 9 AM to noon I strongly encourage all districts to attend one of these sessions. The data collection process and the data to be collected will be described at these meetings. Since some of the EPIMS data elements may be stored in either a district's human resource database or in a student-scheduling database, districts should send a representative from both their HR and IT departments. The EPIMS data collection represents a major change to the types of data being reported. Districts may well have to collect information in a different way or supplement the data they currently collect. It is important for districts to understand the EPIMS data requirements as soon as possible so they can begin to prepare for the fall collection. For the first time in our state's history, EPIMS will collect demographic data and work assignment information on individual public school educators. This information will enable Massachusetts to comply fully with the No Child Left Behind Act by accurately reporting on highly qualified teachers. The EPIMS data also will be used to perform greatly needed analysis on our educator workforce that over time will identify high need areas, evaluate current educational practices and programs, and assist districts with their recruiting efforts. We have worked very closely with several pilot districts throughout this past year to develop the list of data elements and to test the EPIMS application. I would like to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to everyone who actively participated in this effort. The list of EPIMS pilot districts is posted on the EPIMS homepage. With the assistance of these districts, we have completed a successful pilot data collection which we anticipate will make the statewide collection smoother for all. Pilot districts will be in attendance at the informational meetings to share their experiences and to offer tips for getting started. A meeting to explain the EPIMS reporting requirements to vendors has been scheduled for March 2nd. The DOE has been working with vendors for the pilot districts this past year. Many have begun to work on adapting their software to store and export EPIMS data. We strongly encourage you to work closely with your vendors to ensure that they are made aware of the EPIMS reporting requirements. Please check the pilot vendor list on the EPIMS homepage. If your HR and scheduling software vendors are listed, please contact them to find out if they plan to support EPIMS. If your vendors are not listed, please contact the DOE to have your vendors added to the list of invitees for the vendor meeting.

Last Updated: January 10, 2007