Data collection is an important way to gauge student achievement within Missouri’s public school districts, and it’s one of multiple measures the state uses to determine performance. Missouri has collected student performance data since 1989. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits disclosure of personally identifiable student information without parental consent or unless authorized by federal law.

The U.S. Department of Education has a four minute video available: Student Privacy 101:  FERPA for Parents and Students.

This page explains the data collected by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education within the statewide longitudinal data system commonly known as the Missouri Comprehensive Data System (MCDS), as well as the procedures that are used to ensure the confidentiality of student records maintained in the MCDS.

Regulatory

• House Bill 1490 
  • This is the statute outlining education standards work groups, their duties, and organization.
• Administrative Rule 5 CSR 20-700.100 Statewide Longitudinal Data System​
  • This rule explains the data collected by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education within the statewide longitudinal data system commonly known as the Missouri Comprehensive Data System (MCDS). The rule also addresses the procedures that are used to ensure the confidentiality of student records maintained in the MCDS.
• Employee Data Access and Management Agreement
• Contractor Data Access and Management Agreement
  • These agreements guide the content, management, and confidentiality of data contained in the DESE Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). 

Reporting

• List of Data Elements
  • This section includes which data are collected, which law requires the data, and definitions.
• Missouri Student Information System (MOSIS) File Layouts
  • This section includes the file layouts, business rules, and Excel templates for each data collection file submitted in MOSIS.
• Core Data/MOSIS Reference Manual
  • This manual provides overview information. There are specific sections with screen prints, file layouts, code sets, exhibits, and links to other materials.

Data Requests

• Data Requests
  • This form is to be used when requesting special reports from the Department. Note: First explore the Missouri Comprehensive Data System (MCDS) portal, as a number of resources are available that might meet your needs.
• Sample Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
  • This is a Memorandum of Agreement for access to education records from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by an organization conducting studies for or on behalf of educational agencies or institutions. 

Security Standards

The Office of Administration - Information Technology Division (OA-ITSD) is the division responsible for managing the State Data Center (SDC). All information maintained within the Missouri Comprehensive Data System (MCDS) is housed at SDC. The Approved Standards for Security Domain provides details on the data security plans.