(Charlotte, N.C.) Mariner and Microsoft invite school district and Department of Education leaders to participate in a series of Web sessions that began January 19th and continue with the second session on March 23rd. The series, entitled “Managing for Performance: From the School to the State House,” highlights education analytics that improve student achievement and are the backbone of data-driven initiatives in K-12 organizations across the country. The third and fourth sessions will take place April 20th and May 18th. An archive of past sessions is available for on-demand reference.

During the series, the speakers, including innovative K-12 leaders from several school districts and a state DOE, share the experiences and knowledge that they have gained in their data-driven and performance management initiatives with Mariner Education Division’s guidance. Scheduled on noted Tuesdays from 11:00-11:30a.m. (EST), the sessions provide participants with an opportunity to interact with school district and Department of Education leaders to learn about strategies to improve student achievement, transparency and accountability. Registration for one or more of the Web Series sessions is available at: www.mariner-usa.com/webseries.htm.

“The effective use of data is essential to the success of managing for performance,” said David “Fitz” Fitzgerald, Mariner’s Education Practice Manager and one of the Web Series’ featured speakers. “We’ve learned from our experiences with districts and DOEs, that teachers and principals need easy access to data views and education analytics to drive improvements in instruction and student outcomes.”

“It has never been more important for schools to acquire rich data transparency and education analytics solutions to help drive student achievement, test scores and curriculum needs that will help educators map to state standards and students’ career aspirations,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president of worldwide education at Microsoft Corp. “Having that repository and toolset is going to be the key priority for schools as they strive for innovation and transformation in the classroom.”

Mariner Education and Microsoft showcased K-12 organizational leaders in a web that focused on the District Data Dashboard implemented by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in the spring of 2009. It generated tremendous interest from school district administrators and educational leaders in the United States and around the world. Archives of these sessions are also available for reference.

District and Department of Education leaders of all levels are encouraged to participate in this series to gain insight into the most effective applications of performance management for classrooms, schools, districts and DOEs.

Upcoming Web session details:

March 23
From Strategy to Students: Realizing the Visions
Jonathan Raymond, Superintendent, Sacramento Unified City School District
Mr. Raymond, advocate and practitioner of data-driven decision making, will draw from input he has received from students, parents, community leaders, teachers and other district employees to discuss his vision and approach for crafting a strategic plan, closing the achievement gap, and accelerating the performance of all students, while managing a budget shortfall.

April 20
Understanding Student Achievement over the Long-term through Student Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDSs)
Irene Koffink, Project Manager, New Hampshire Department of Education
Ms. Koffink leads one of the country’s most aggressive DOE initiatives for improved student achievement through performance management and data-driven decisions making in its Initiative for Student Empowerment and Excellence.
May 18
Managing the Performance: School Improvement Plans
David “Fitz” Fitzgerald, Education Practice Manager, Mariner
With more than 25 years of experience in performance management, business intelligence and productivity improvements for organizations in the healthcare, education, manufacturing and financial services industries, Mr. Fitzgerald leads performance management projects with Mariner’s customers in the education sector.

To sign up for one or more sessions in this web series please go to: www.mariner-usa.com/webseries.htm
Archived Web session:

The Strategic Planning Process: How to Get Started
Dr. Gregory Firn, Superintendent, Anson County Schools
Dr. Firn is recognized as a leader in improving education, instituting new ideas for all phases of educational programs from curriculum to sports programs and redistricting.
Please visit www.mariner-usa.com/webseries.htm to view archived sessions.

Mariner, Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner of the Year for 2008 in Performance Management Solutions and TDWI’s Best Practices Award Implementation Partner for 2009, specializes in business intelligence, data warehousing, business scorecards and performance dashboards to help clients improve productivity and decision making in a variety of industries including the education, utility and healthcare sectors. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with specializations in Business Intelligence and Performance Management Solutions, Mariner helps organizations translate strategy into action. Mariner-Realizing Visions with Technology. www.mariner-usa.com.