Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is DecisionInsite located?

DecisionInsite is headquartered in Irvine, California.

2. Where does DecisionInsite get its information?

Data from our clients is central to the enrollment projections we provide, but we also extract information from a variety of community demographic products.

Client Data:

School districts provide us with information on their student population that allows us to attach a geocode to each student record (geocoding means attaching a latitude and longitude coordinate to each record for mapping and analysis). A district also provides us with school site addresses (also for geocoding) and capacities. New development data is collected from multiple sources including the district, local developers and, when necessary, city or county planning departments.

Census Data:

DecisionInsite possesses both the 2000 Census SF3 Data at a block group level which includes 5000 census variables and Census SF3+ which includes 15,000 variables at the census tract level. Live birth data is obtained from state departments of health. Demographic Updates and Projections are purchased from Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) at a block group level for the entire US. These data are updated once per year.

3. Why does DecisionInsite generate two student enrollment forecasts each year for its clients?

Two forecasts are done to serve two different purposes within a district. The conservative projection is designed with budget planning specifically in mind. The moderate projection is suitable for facilities planning. Many districts find they need both of these and, in some cases, different departments are creating their own projections. DecisionInsite feels that it best serves the whole district by generating both and making them available for analysis through The DI System.

4. How many users are included in a typical DecisionInsite agreement?

DecisionInsite believes that a district gains its best value by granting access to as many persons as necessary. Therefore we do not limit the number of users.

5. How does DecisionInsite handle open enrollment in its school by grade forecasts?

DecisionInsite’s methodology was specifically designed to handle the challenges of projecting school enrollment where open enrollment is practiced. We do not base school projections on attendance areas. We base school projections upon the pattern of draw to a particular school from any geographic area—both inside the district and outside the district. This method is not only more realistic to what actually occurs but also gives our clients the flexibility of closing a school to open enrollment when necessary. There are also reports and analysis tools built into The DI System allowing the user to quickly see the patterns of open enrollment as they are expressed within the district.

6. What kind of system maintenance must a client manage?

None! This is the beauty of the DI System. There is nothing for the client to manage, no data to update, no software to keep up, no information to back up. This is all part of the service. Clients simply log in and explore. And the user can not harm any of the data. It is all protected on our servers.

7. How often and when does DecisionInsite generate enrollment forecasts?

DecisionInsite generates annual projections beginning each fall just prior to the release of CBEDS data. In September, existing clients are notified that the annual forecasting process is beginning. A packet of data requirements is provided to each client. As soon as a district submits their annual student data file, DecisionInsite begins to develop the next year’s forecasts.

8. How much interaction is there between client districts and DecisionInsite during the enrollment forecasting process?

DecisionInsite analysts communicate with clients throughout the process. The first step is to build the conservative district-wide forecast. This is posted to the web site and the client is invited to review the numbers. If there is something that raises a question for the client, they will discuss this with the analyst. The goal is to understand the concern and properly account for it and/or make adjustments in light of the new information. After the client is comfortable with the conservative district-wide forecast, the conservative school-by-grade forecasts are generated. Again, there is a communication exchange. When the client is satisfied with the full conservative forecast, then DecisionInsite generates the moderate forecast. Having the client data accessible via the web facilitates easy interaction.

9. What if residential development is occurring within a district? How does DecisionInsite handle this?

In order to realistically consider the potential impact upon a district of new residential development, DecisionInsite needs to know the amount of dwelling units by product type and year of expected occupancy. Armed with this information, we are able to apply a student generation rate and project new students in the appropriate year. Some districts have the internal staff to conduct residential development research. When this is the case, they simply pass that information along and it is built into the forecasts. For districts that do not have this internal capacity, DecisionInsite can provide these research services for an additional fee.

10. How difficult is it to conduct alternative attendance area analysis in order to either open or close schools?

With the DI System alternative scenarios are only a few mouse clicks away. Our unique boundary analysis tool allows district planners to easily generate multiple attendance area scenarios in a matter of minutes. With this powerful tool, planners not only see how many students might be generated in a new attendance area, but also immediately see the potential impact upon existing schools in both the immediate future and future years. What used to take hours is done in seconds!

11. How long does it usually take from the moment a contract is signed until a district has access to the DI System?

There are several steps taken in setting up a district for the first time. Students are geocoded, schools are geocoded and district boundaries and attendance areas are digitally drawn. All of this occurs before forecasts can be generated. However, once these are done, a client is given access to the system. On average, a new district will have initial access within four weeks. And assuming the student data validation process goes well, initial projections follow within eight weeks of initiation. Additionally, for clients who sign on in late spring or summer, the first projection is most likely not going to be for the immediate fall but for the following fall.

12. How much does it cost for training in the use of the DI System?

DecisionInsite does not charge extra for the basic training workshop. It is included in the price. Furthermore, since the system is so easy to use, most new users reach full competency with the system in a single day workshop. Training workshops are held throughout the year, hosted by various DecisionInsite client districts.

13. What if I need support in using the system?

Quick response to clients is critically important to the DecisionInsite team. Generally speaking, support questions are handled on the same day the request for assistance is made.

14. Who do I contact with support questions?

If you are a client and have technical questions, please email us at
support@decisioninsite.com

or by calling
(877) 204-1392, ext 123.

If you are not a client but are interested in learning more about our products and services,
contact us at (877) 204-1392, ext 123.

15. How much do DecisionInsite’s products and services cost?

Pricing for our DI Resource Package is based upon the size and scope of the work. More specifically, school district enrollment projections are based upon the size of the student population served and the specific product requested.