Q.  What is the Center for Educational Performance and Information?

A:  CEPI is responsible for collecting, analyzing and reporting Michigan educational data so that policymakers, researchers, school administrators and parents can better assess the performance of Michigan public schools.

Q.  What services does CEPI provide?

Q.  When and why was CEPI created?

A:  Gov. John Engler created the Center for Educational Performance and Information on Sept. 28, 2000 with Executive Order 2000-9 to consolidate and automate educational data collection and improve its quality and accuracy.  Under recently signed Public Act 191 of 2002, CEPI is now an office located within the State Budget Office. This move ensures that work on the Michigan Education Information System (MEIS) will continue without interruption.

Q.  How are data managed and stored?

A.  The information is stored and managed in a Web-based system called the Michigan Education Information System (MEIS). 

Q:   What  is stored in the MEIS?

A.  The MEIS contains five core databases:  single record student database, school infrastructure, registry of educational personnel, financial information database and student assessment information database (test performance data).  The School Code Master, the official school identification database, ties these data sets together.

Q.  How are the data released?

A.  The information is released in reports and databases.

Q.  How will the data be used?

A:  The reports and databases will be used to:

·         Evaluate how well education reforms and policies are working and determine necessary refinements,

·         Assess the performance of individual students, teachers and schools,

·         Determine the value of each dollar spent and if additional resources are needed, and

·         Much more.

For example, the Governor and Legislature might use the reports to analyze an education law or policy and determine if changes are needed.  Local school officials and parents can determine how their schools and students are performing compared to districts with similar demographic characteristics.  School officials can determine if additional resources might be needed.  Researchers and the media might produce reports on particular schools, districts and performance trends.  The uses and usefulness of the data are nearly endless.

Q.  Is CEPI part of the Michigan Department of Education (MDE)?

A.   No.  On April 25, 2002, Governor John Engler signed into law legislation that permanently places the Center within the Office of the State Budget. CEPI, the Michigan Department of Education, and other agencies such as the Department of Treasury and the Department of Career Development will continue working together to combine all educational data in the MEIS and to eliminate duplicate reporting requirements.

A:  Q:  Where does the data come from?

A:  Michigan’s intermediate school districts, local school districts, and public school academies report data to the Center.  Data also come from The College Board, ACT, Inc., the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.