SWIS Questions
Q. Why use SWIS when we have other discipline data systems?
A. SWIS is a progress monitoring tool for behavior just like DIBELS/AIMSweb is a progress monitoring tool for reading. SWIS focuses on building level data so that the decision making is related to student behavior in relation to the building's culture and environment. With SWIS, you are able to generate up to 1400 different reports. This allows you to "dig deeper" into data to assist teams in making more informed decisions about which behavior interventions or strategies to implement from the schoolwide level to the individual student level. Click here to download a summary of SWIS.
Q. Can data be downloaded from SWIS?
A. SWIS data can absolutely be downloaded. All accounts come equipped with the ability to download their data – this is in the Tools menu under Data Download. Additionally, the folks at SWIS have developed an application called SDEX. SDEX is an online application allowing users to setup their own SDEX account to download SWIS data across multiple schools into a single file. Data can be downloaded in several formats including XML and Excel. Many districts have been successful using SDEX to provide them the data file. District-level IT personnel then take the file and upload the data into their district information system.
Q. What about double-entry of discipline data with our district's system and SWIS?
A. Double-entry is a big area of concern for many SWIS schools. Looking to alternatives to bridging data, many of these schools have done the following:
Enter all referrals into SWIS and only double-enter the referrals to be reported to the state at the end of the year.
Because referrals for weapons, expulsions, out-of-school detentions, etc, occur at a less frequent pace, the number of referrals to double-enter is fewer.
View SWIS through a new lens:
Referrals are entered into SWIS as a way to progress-monitor behavior within the school.
Referrals are entered into the larger district information system for end of year reporting.
This has proved beneficial to data entry personnel because they already double-enter other information for just these same reasons.