Available NRS Online Courses

About NRS

What is the NRS?
Gain a basic understanding of the NRS, focusing on the measures and methods. Upon completion of this course you should be able to answer questions revolving around "what", "why", and "how". (Users will be required to log in to access this course. Course completion may take approximately 20-35 minutes.)

Data Quality Courses

Data Quality Guide Training Courses
For this 8-part course, learn who does what with the NRS Data, where it comes from, where it goes, and how it gets there in this online course based on the Guide for Improving NRS Data Quality. Upon completion, you should be able to give a detailed account of what the goes on at each level of the NRS. The course is designed to follow a sequence in which each new section builds upon the previous; however, users may choose to take any lessons within the course at any time. (Users will be required to log in to access this course. Total course completion may take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.)

• Part I. Introduction and Overview
• Part II. Quality Data: Why Good Data Matter
• Part III. The Data Collection Process
• Part IV. Collecting NRS Outcome Measures
  • Assessment: Measuring Educational Gain
  • Intake and Goal Setting
  • Followup Measures: Employment, GED and Post-secondary Education/Data Matching
  • Local Staff Training
• Part V. The State Role in Data Quality

NRS Data Flow
Learn who does what with the NRS Data, where it comes from, where it goes, and how it gets there. Upon completion of this course, you should be able to give a detailed account of what the goes on at each level of the NRS. (Users will be required to log in to access this course. Course may take approximately 10-15 minutes.)

Data Use Courses

Using NRS Data
In this online course you will gain an understanding of how to use NRS data and learn basic techniques on using NRS data to assist in the analysis of educational program(s) data. (Users will be required to log in to access this course. Course completion may take approximately 10-15 minutes.)

Scenarios (extended courses for local administrators)
Picking up where Using NRS Data left off, in this 5-part online course there are scenarios that share in-depth techniques on using NRS data to assist in the analysis of educational programs. (Users will be required to log in to access this course.)

• Scenario 1: Professional Development, Instructor Time and Instructor Status
• Scenario 2: Monitoring Student Educational Levels to Meet Performance Standards
• Scenario 3: Understanding Student Retention
• Scenario 4: The Impact of Mandatory Students
• Scenario 5: Developing Your Own Research Questions

Data Use Guide Training Courses
Learn how to use your NRS data for program improvement through this online course based on the NRS Guide to Using NRS Data for Program Management and Improvement. This 8-part online course will walk you through the information provided in the Data Use Guide. The course is designed to follow a sequence in which each new section builds upon the previous; however, users may choose to take any lessons within the course at any time. (Users will be required to log in to access this course. Total course completion may take approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes; completion times for each course section are provided on the initial page of each course below.)

• Part 1: Introduction: A Model for Using Data for Program Management and Improvement
• Part 2: Identifying Issues and Problems
• Part 3: Developing Measurable Questions
• Part 4: Develop an Analysis Plan
• Part 5: Analyze and Interpret Data
• Part 6: Develop a Plan for Change
• Part 7: Implement Change
• Part 8: Evaluate the Change

Learning to be an NRS Data Detective

This in-depth 7-part course includes a variety of readings and tools that illustrate the art of being a data detective and using data to monitor performance, understand programs, and plan and evaluate program improvements efforts. The course is designed to follow a sequence in which each new section builds upon the previous; however, users may choose to complete any part within the training at any time. (Users will be required to log in to access this course. Total training completion may take approximately 3-5 hours to complete; completion times for each part are provided on their respective home pages.)

• Part 1- Learning to be an NRS Data Detective: Introduction
• Part 2- Foundational Elements: Data Collection
• Part 3- Foundational Elements: Data Systems
• Part 4- Policies and Procedures: Assessment
• Part 5- Policies and Procedures: Goal Setting
• Part 6- Policies and Procedures: Follow-up Measures
• Part 7- Conclusion: Translating Detective Work into Action