The Use of Geoprocessing in Educational Research and Decision Support

Abstract

Geoprocessing systems employing a geographic base file and address matching techniques are now available to many school districts and educational institutions. These systems are most often used for bus routing and scheduling and for redisricting or determining boundary changes. The Portland (Oregon) Public School District geocodes a variety of data, including student performance data, census and demographic data, taxation data, and election data. Standard statistical procedures are then used to produce a wide variety of analyses useful for decision support. One of the most promising developments to come from this method of analysis is the ability to retrieve student data from selected geographic areas. This paper presents a discussion of this analysis technique and some of the analyses which have been done.

Keywords::

• computer mapping
• geocoded data files
• administrative computing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Porter Sexton

Mr. Porter Sexton is a management information specialist for the Portland Public Schools, Oregon and also is currently the president of the Oregon AEDS.