CPS launches search for new student info system

A 17-member committee headed by Canton Public Schools’ Technology Director Julie Shore has embarked on a search for a new state-of-the-art Student Information System (SIS) with an emphasis on efficiency, usability, and equitable access for all CPS families.

The plan is to have a new system selected and a multi-year agreement in place by the end of the school year with data migration and training taking place over the summer so it can be fully operational for the next school year.

The adoption of a new SIS is one of the district goals that Superintendent Derek Folan had outlined earlier this year, noting that he wants to utilize a system that “optimizes and enhances communication and information sharing throughout the district.” This also ties into one of Folan’s broader goals of developing operational systems that assure access to high-quality resources, are aligned to the CPS educational vision, and “create a system where data is  equitably distributed and utilized efficiently.”

In addition to helping administrators with scheduling, grading and other reports, Shore said the new SIS will broaden their ability to communicate with students and families. “We are seeking a system that will provide students and families with things like easy to navigate, translatable, online access for registration and residency; the ability to better manage student data, access grades, report cards, transcripts and academic progress; easily participate in course selection at the secondary level; self-update demographic information; and more,” said Shore.

Shore said they also hope to find a system that provides the ability to offer as many school-related functions, such as enrollment and payment systems, via a single access point. “We are trying to be thoughtful around the student and family experience and identify and implement a system that best suits all of our school community stakeholder needs,” she said.

The SIS Search Committee includes representation from various stakeholder groups and is tasked with managing the bid process, gathering feedback from students and families, and reviewing vendor proposals.

Stakeholder surveys were sent out earlier this year as committee members work to create a baseline of what currently works, what does not, and what users want in a new software system.

An RFP was issued in late January and the first round of vendor reviews will commence later this month. The district plans to host vendor demonstrations during the weeks of March 13-24 with a final selection expected to be announced by April 15.

In other School Department news:

* At their meeting on Thursday, February 2, members of the Canton School Committee approved …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 10 2023. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.