Alabama DOE Turns to Web-Based Enrollment and Scheduling for Online Learning

• By Scott Aronowitz
• 07/02/09

The Alabama Department of Education has announced a partnership with data management solution provider STI for a Web-based system to manage statewide scheduling and enrollment of its online learning program. Using STI's Information LIVE (Learning In a Virtual Environment) system, the state DOE will manage all student enrollment, as well as class and staff scheduling, for its entire ACCESS (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide) Program. The announcement was made at the 2009 National Educational Computer Conference (NECC) this week in Washington, DC.

Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, Alabama has instituted a new high school graduation requirement that all students take at least one online course. This requirement will inevitably lead to a sizeable increase in online course enrollment throughout the state, and the DOE wants its computer network to be ready for the coming surge in traffic.

"Our ACCESS program is transforming education in Alabama, providing students with individualized instruction in a 21st century learning environment," said State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton. "STI's system is a critical component in accomplishing our mission to ensure all students in the state have equal opportunity to access high-quality education and to expand their horizons."

The state will integrate existing student data from its statewide SIS, also provided by STI, into Information LIVE in order to minimize duplicate information and ensure accuracy. The DOE said it also plans to incorporate new data it gathers via the LIVE system into its overall data system used for long-term program and policy planning, as well as funding decisions.