The Capital Area Data Network (CADN) is a user group providing a means of enhancing the statewide Data Quality Network (DQN) at a local level for professional networking and learning in the areas of PIMS, PennData, data governance, and student information system (SIS) management. Meetings are held during the afternoon of DQN meeting days. 

Participants are also given the opportunity to network with other data management personnel to share tips, tricks, and data governance strategies. 

The Data Quality Network (DQN) is composed of education professionals working and learning together to optimize the governance, quality, and application of data in order to improve the delivery of educational opportunities to students across the Commonwealth. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month except March, June, and July. 

Participants from local educational agencies meet at each intermediate unit and connect via video conference for information and education related to data governance, PIMS submissions, and other data management topics. Detailed information is available at https://www.padqn.com/.

Customized training and consulting services are available upon request for areas such as PIMS and Penn Data. These services are tailored to the specific needs of school districts and charter schools. 

The Data Quality Curriculum (DQC) is a tool for local educational agencies to increase the quality of data submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, thereby reducing costly data errors and staff time. Participation is voluntary. This is a self-paced program, inclusive of regional meetings, online tutorials, assessments, and webinars. Detailed information is available at http://www.padqc.org/learn/.

Penn Data/PIMS special education reporting is the mechanism implemented by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the collection of special education data. The IDEA Federal Child Count is conducted on December 1st of each year. The guidelines for this count are set forth by the federal government. The count determines the amount of federal funding districts receive to educate children with special needs. The revised child count information and other required Penn Data/PIMS submissions are collected annually in June and are used for compliance monitoring and decision-making.  

Data collection through Penn Data and PIMS ensures the accuracy of local and state data through a series of edit checks and other verification procedures. The CAIU personnel work collaboratively with school districts and charter schools to ensure accurate and timely reporting of special education data.