Data Support, Technology Services & Innovation

Berrien RESA integrates technology and data-driven solutions as part of all its operations. For example, Berrien RESA:

• Provides web hosting, email services and email filtering. Provides instructional video streaming for technology consortium members.
• Develops online learning environments for classroom instruction.
• Offers the use of a technology training center as well as offers professional development regarding the use of technology in the classroom and for school business applications.
• Coordinates the submission of E-rate applications.
• Provides assistive technology tools for students with disabilities.
• Provides electronic Educational Development Plans and the electronic submission of student transcripts upon the school district’s request.
• Collects data for the Single Record Student Database and disseminates reported information to the Michigan Department of Education.
• Processes Medicaid reimbursement requests.
• Electronically scans and files student and business documents to alleviate paper storage and creates an automated filing system.
• Provides a Wide Area Network allowing Fiber and T1 lines to several schools in Berrien County and to Lewis Cass ISD and Cassopolis Public Schools in Cass County.
• Hosts student information system services and Skyward (business application) for several schools in Berrien County.
• Offers schools and organizations the opportunity to take advantage of the Regional Educational Media Center’s Bid Buy program.
• Hosts an Online Learning Portal which can be used by teachers. This portal can be used in combination with traditional, face-to-face instruction (blended learning) or for hosting courses which are offered completely online.
• Offers video conferencing services through the Goals 2000 and United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service grant. All K-12 Berrien and Cass districts have access to one or more video-conferencing systems. They are now using the connectivity and equipment to collaborate around the world for curriculum opportunities.
• Offers Discovery Education Streaming to schools to enhance lessons.
• Assists districts with development of formative and summative assessments regarding data on their students’ progress.
• Facilitates training on data reporting and analysis on state assessment and classroom data.
• Provides regional training opportunities, support and reports for Regional Data Initiative counties.
• Loads all state data into DataWarehouse including MI-Access, MEAP-Access, MEAP and the Michigan Merit Exam, as well as extensive district-specific data.
• Offers cross-departmental collaboration with local districts using a student ware-housing system for early education, special education, drop-out prevention, Title 1 and other non-instructional staff initiatives.
• Works with the Michigan Department of Education on dropout prevention reporting with current data being stored in student information systems and data warehouses.
• Assists districts with using best practices on collecting data.
• Works collaboratively with regional partners on loading of MEAP release items, Secondary Credit Assessments and the Battle Creek Math Science Center Kits l within a student information warehousing tool.
• Facilitates and oversees the deployment and implementation of Data4SS/MI School Data state assessment reporting tool.