Oregon school leader receives national award for data work

For immediate release
contact Susanne Smith, (503) 947-5637

January 29, 2010

Oregon school leader receives national award for data work

Mickey Garrison, Director of School Improvement for the Oregon Education Enterprise Steering Committee, has been named the 2009 State Data Director of the Year. Garrison received the award from the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) during its annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 29.

The DQC, a national partnership to improve the quality, accessibility and use of data in education, recognized Garrison and winners in two other categories for their critical leadership role in changing the culture around data use for continuous improvement. The DQC also released the results of its first survey of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico on progress toward implementing the DQC 10 Actions to Ensure Effective Use of Data.

The DQC accepted nominations from across the country for leaders in the field of longitudinal data systems at the local and state levels. As the EESC School Improvement Director, Garrison guides the multitude of stakeholder groups in the Oregon education system to collaboratively implement a statewide plan for school improvement. At the heart of her reform efforts is the Oregon DATA Project, for which she serves as training director.

“Mickey has been the driving force behind the Oregon DATA Project, which is successfully building a sustainable statewide framework for professional development supporting the use of data,” wrote Doug Kosty in his nomination letter. Kosty is Assistant Superintendent of ODE’s Office of Assessment and Information Services. “Mickey is a dedicated and tireless visionary who has brought her message—that data is the key to improving student achievement—to every corner of our state.”

“Any work that makes a difference takes a team, and I have the honor of being part of a great team,” Garrison said. “The work the Oregon DATA Project is doing is making a huge difference. Teachers and administrators are getting the support needed to close the achievement gap for our students.”

For more information about the Data Quality Campaign, visit www.DataQualityCampaign.org. For more information about the Oregon DATA Project, visit www.OregonDataProject.org.

#####
Susan Castillo, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Jake Weigler, Communications Director, Telephone (503) 947-5650
http://www.ode.state.or.us

Oregon Department of Education News Releases contain information that was originally released to the press as an official release. Refer to each News Release for the details.