Rhode Island District Adopts Integrated SIS To Cut Costs, Track Students
- By Sharleen Nelson
- 08/29/13
To help teachers and administrators improve student performance and trim costs, Foster-Glocester Regional School District in Rhode Island will adopt a data management platform that tracks class schedules and school events, student performance, athletic eligibility, and student health records in a single database.
For the project, the school district selected K-12 educational technology provider Follett's Aspen software platform, a student information system (SIS) that links student information to curricular and educational tools.
With one of its schools already using Aspen's integrated Curriculum and Learning learning management system (LMS) to build curriculum maps, the Aspen SIS provides communication tools that link administrators, school staff, teachers, students, and parents in a real-time, digital environment.
The configurable system is designed to provide a "whole-student" view that allows parents and educators to monitor student progress. Teachers can use the data to identify at-risk students and implement suitable programs.
Key features include:
- Full integration with LMS and other digital learning tools;
- A master scheduling that allows flexible schedules for students;
- A health database that tracks individual health needs;
- Eligibility reports that allow coaches to track player eligibility according to district guidelines;
- Users have a single login to access the entire system;
- A state reporting feature that collects data according to state-specific guidelines; and
- Anytime access to actionable data
"As an avid user and fan of Follett's Aspen SIS and the Curriculum and Learning tool, we look forward to sharing our knowledge of this powerful system with other districts in Rhode Island," said Jim Monti, director of educational reform, compliance, and technology for West Warwick Public Schools, in a prepared statement. "We have used Aspen to manage all of our student data; Aspen's special education module to develop customized and interactive Individualized Education Programs; and Aspen's Curriculum and Learning tool to build unique Common Core-aligned curriculum maps. Our district is more prepared for Common Core because of Aspen."
The Foster-Glocester Regional Schools District in northwest Rhode Island serves about 1,300 students at one high school and one middle school. The towns of Foster and Glocester, which have a total of three elementary schools, join in educating their middle and high school students when they enter the 6th grade.
To learn more about Follett, visit follett.com.
About the Author
Sharleen Nelson is a freelance journalist based in Springfield, Oregon. She can be reached at [email protected].