MIRS Training

The MIRS Consultants deliver two MIRS training programs. These programs, MIRS Initial and MIRS Refresher/Intermediate Training, are "hands-on" training courses designed to provide trainees with the knowledge and skills required to access the MIRS Database and generate reports.

The following provides meaningful information on MIRS training prerequisites, enrollment, course descriptions, and MIRS contact information.

Prerequisites

MIRS INITIAL ELEARNING MODULES AND TRAINING

Prior to training, trainees must first complete an original Statement of Understanding (PSD 108) and Security Authorization form (PSD 125A). These forms can be obtained from your department's Security Monitor.

Upon receiving the completed PSD 108 and PSD 125A forms, the MIRS Consultants will provide a "MIRS Checklist ", which must be completed within 10-business days from the time of receipt and is required to attend training. If the new user needs assistance completing the MIRS Checklist, please contact the MIRS Consultants by email at ppsdmirs@sco.ca.gov.

Developing reports through MIRS requires not only knowledge of how to use the MIRS system, but also an understanding of the data available for reporting.  The SCO recommends that all new MIRS users have a minimum of six months of personnel experience to help ensure success in comprehending the subject matter discussed in the modules. Trainees who lack six months of personnel experience may have difficulty with the material.

MIRS REFRESHER/INTERMEDIATE ELEARNING MODULES AND TRAINING

Trainees should complete the MIRS Initial Training class prior to watching the Refresher/Intermediate Training modules.

eLearning

Online training modules available to Human Resources staff.

The MIRS Consultants are committed to supporting a successful employee learning experience through the delivery of relevant training, in the most effective and efficient method for conveying critical job knowledge and skills.

We are pleased to provide a series of eLearning modules.

As we continue to broaden our development and delivery of training, we actively encourage you to let us know how we are doing. Your participation and feedback help us determine which statewide training needs are most critical, so we can plan accordingly.

To offer your comments or feedback, please contact us at ppsdmirs@sco.ca.gov. 

Please Note:  To begin any of the eLearning classes, please click on course link below. For the full eLearning experience, please maximize your browser window and enable pop-ups.

Initial eLearning Modules

MIRS Initial Training is recommended for all new MIRS users. The training can also be helpful for experienced MIRS report writers that need a refresher. Trainees will learn about the MIRS process, how to access the MIRS database, generate reports using the MIRS Common Library, determine which of the Master Files to use when writing ad-hoc reports, and learn how to write, generate, and download reports. The curriculum consists of 6 modules, as listed below. For the most beneficial training experience, watch the modules in numerical order, from 1 – 6.

Your feedback is valuable to us. Once you have completed a module, please take a few moments to complete that corresponding module's evaluation survey.  

• Module 1: MIRS File Descriptions – FD (Run time: Approximately 52 minutes): Details the fieldnames and file information available in each MIRS file.

Provide feedback for module 1 here: Module 1 Evaluation.

• Module 2: Navigating the MIRS System (Run time: Approximately 34 minutes): Introduces MIRS screens, and copying reports; includes instructions on how to copy to and from the Common Library, as well as how to use and PF Keys and Commands.

Provide feedback for module 2 here: Module 2 Evaluation.

• Module 3: MIRS Procedure Overview (Run time: Approximately 1 hour 9 minutes): Presents Update Schedule details, how to write procedures to create a report, how to navigate within a procedure and a report, how and when to invoke the FOCUS Environment, and common error messages.

Provide feedback for module 3 here: Module 3 Evaluation. 

• Module 4: MIRS Procedure Writing – Verbs, Formats, & By Phrases (Run time: Approximately 28 minutes): Guidance on basic procedure writing, including verbs (PRINT, SUM, and COUNT), field formats, and sorting data output with By Phrases.

Provide feedback for module 4 here: Module 4 Evaluation. 

• Module 5: MIRS Procedure Writing – Selecting Records (Run time: Approximately 37 minutes): Explains Where Phrases, including single and multiple selection criteria, as well as when to use a Record Limit.

Provide feedback for module 5 here: Module 5 Evaluation.

• Module 6: MIRS Procedure Writing – Customizations (Run time: Approximately 38 minutes): Identifies the various options for customizing a MIRS procedure, such as using totals, headings, footings, changing titles, date and time variables, reformatting fieldnames, and skipping lines.

Provide feedback for module 6 here: Module 6 Evaluation.

Refresher/Intermediate eLearning Modules Coming Soon!

MIRS Refresher/Intermediate Training includes advanced report writing, and different ways to define new fields in MIRS using existing field names.

• Module 7: MIRS Procedure Writing – Defines: Details how to create a new field with a Define, the various types of Defines, and how to add a Define to a procedure.
• Module 8: MIRS Procedure Writing – Prompts:  Explains the purpose of Prompts and how they relate to the FOCUS Environment. Describes single and multiple Prompts in basic procedures, Defines, headings and footings.
• Module 9: MIRS Procedure Writing – Match Procedures: Describes how to create a Match procedure and how to include Defines and Prompts in Match Procedures.

Training Enrollment

Enrollment is not required for the MIRS eLearning modules.

Special Request Consultations/Training

To request consultations or a special request training program, please contact the MIRS Consultants at ppsdmirs@sco.ca.gov.  We do our best to accommodate our customer needs.