Learning Resource

Pennsylvania School Districts Implement Single Comprehensive Student Platform

A new partnership with Software Answers merges student technology from ProgressBook and the instructional support of IU29.

• By Sri Ravipati
• 05/05/16

Software Answers, an administrative software provider, has partnered with an educational service agency to bring ProgressBook, a single comprehensive student platform, to Pennsylvania School Districts.

Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 (IU29) is one of 29 educational service agencies in Pennsylvania, created by the state legislature, that coordinates services for Schuylkill County schools. IU29 will be hosting the ProgressBook Suite on a statewide, high-speed educational network called PAIUnet. The network allows educators and students throughout Pennsylvania “to create, communicate, collaborate and share valuable resources to enhance student learning,” according to PIAU’s site.

Software Answers’ ProgressBook platform includes the following modules:

• StudentInformation, a student information system;

• ParentAccess, a portal for parents to monitor student progress;

• DataMap, a tool for educators to view student assessment scores and benchmark data;

• Gradebook, a grade management tool;

• SpecialServices, an application for special education reporting; and

• VirtualClassroom, an online learning management system.

“It has always been our goal to close the gap between administrative functions and student/classroom information in order to promote improved outcomes in student achievement,” said Scott Miller, chief business development officer and co-founder of Software Answers, in a prepared statement. “Partnering with IU29 to provide the district with the all tools required to drive achievement for every student is a truly unique offering in Pennsylvania.”