PowerSchool, a division of Apple and a leader in student information systems (SIS), today announced the availability of PowerSchool Pro version 4.2. The upgrade is PowerSchool’s most advanced offering to-date for the management of Alternative Education Programs (AEPs), particularly Continuing Education programs. With this new version, PowerSchool also announces certification with Apple’s new operating system, Mac OS X Tiger. PowerSchool’s cross-platform, web-based system offers a choice in database sophistication, including the ODBC-compliant, Structured Query Language (SQL) relational database option, PowerSchool Premier.
PowerSchool Pro version 4.2 will provide all the benefits that have elevated the SIS provider to its leadership position, through an Open SIS that is scalable, reliable, and SIF-compliant. PowerSchool Pro is a mature and stable offering that provides districts with a low total cost of ownership. Version 4.2 further provides fundamental reporting capabilities for California AEPs and full-fledged reporting capabilities for the Continuing Education program, eliminating painstaking manual tracking and the inaccuracies that can result in inadequate funding. Features include the following:
• Interval Attendance will allow users to enter attendance for a class at specified clock-based intervals, instead of only once per meeting. This feature will save staff time and effort spent on manually associating attendance with specific programs.
• Time Attendance allows the administrator to enter attendance hours and minutes for programs that involve work outside of a specific course, such as independent study or work experience time. This feature allows for heightened assurance that credits are tracked toward timely graduation for students.
• Student Program Enrollment provides a means to associate a particular student to a particular AEP, automatically, and without duplicate data entry.
• Backfill is a necessary feature for the California Continuing Education program in which hours recorded in one week can be credited towards prior weeks where the student did not achieve the maximum number of hours allowed for average daily attendance (ADA). This feature helps maximize funding opportunities.
• ADA Reports will allow schools to streamline AEP data into the proper California ADA forms – automation that saves significant time and effort, and ensures accuracy to drive proper funding.
“This new version of PowerSchool Pro enables districts to receive the appropriate funding for all of their students, including those who require alternative learning methods in order to complete their K-12 career. We’re also pleased to provide compatibility with Apple’s most advanced operating system to date, Tiger, which already has enormous interest in the education market,” said Mary McCaffrey, President of PowerSchool in the press release.
PowerSchool version 4.2 is scheduled to ship May 17, 2005 in time for full implementation prior to the 2005 back-to-school season. Schools and districts interested in learning more should call 1-877-873-1550 ext 0.
PowerSchool, a division of Apple Computer, Inc., provides web-based, SIF-compliant, student information systems (SIS) for schools and school districts. The well-established PowerSchool Pro delivers a comprehensive SIS feature set in an easy-to-use, low cost environment that is fully supported with training and technology support services. PowerSchool Premier, with a SQL database, offers those same benefits to school districts desiring flexibility in size, as well as industry standard data access and interoperability. Every day millions of students, parents, teachers, and administrators can easily and cost-effectively access student information in order to develop smarter strategies and make better decisions because they have the power of PowerSchool. For more information, visit http://www.powerschool.com
not that this topis will be very interesting, but this is an important venture for apple. microsoft has not entered this space – and will not. if Blackboard and Apple can partner in this space, this can help apple grow strategically in others areas and shore up market share.
a lot of the reports of late of parents and school boards becoming cautious to adopting ibook programs due to lack of insight to the true value of apple and the mac can alayed with a stronger powerschool position and demonstration how it interacts with the entire academioc infrastructure.
these stories and innovations need to be more visible. this is something microsoft, intel and dell don’t do. they have demonstrated no interest in the development of our children, apple has.