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Getting IT Right. Central applications for successful schools. Where have I been. 7 years NH Public School 6-12 Middle High School K-5 Elementary Total enrollment 580 Entering my fourth year at Harker K-5 Primary & Elementary 6-8 Middle 9-12 Upper Total enrollment 1690. SIS Experience.
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Getting IT Right Central applications for successful schools Harker picks an SIS
Where have I been • 7 years NH Public School • 6-12 Middle High School • K-5 Elementary • Total enrollment 580 • Entering my fourth year at Harker • K-5 Primary & Elementary • 6-8 Middle • 9-12 Upper • Total enrollment 1690 Harker picks an SIS
SIS Experience • In NH • 5 SISs in 7 years • 3 Major Conversions • High School MMS to MMS 2000 • High School MMS 2000 to Nordex • Simultaneously • High School Nordex to PowerSchool • Elementary MacSchool to PowerSchool • Much better at conversion than I intended Harker picks an SIS
Old Assumptions • 5+ years ago • Unified solution meant single vendor • Data silos better than no data • Some batching for update • Each island under a different charge • Development • Business • Student Records • Schedule • Learning Environment • Etc., etc. Harker picks an SIS
New Assumptions • There are Communication Options • Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) • WebObjects • Unitary solutions • Integration consultants • Do it yourself integration Harker picks an SIS
Our Assumptions • All major apps should be capable of integration • Cost is a big part of the decision, but in about third place • Perceived Problems: • Frequent redundant entry • Hard to manage • Poor integration Harker picks an SIS
3 Bubbles Public Face (CMS) Student Information System (SIS) Learning Management System (LMS) Harker picks an SIS
Public Face - CMS • Constituencies • Educational Community outside • Marketing / Admissions • General Public • Parents • Development • Alumni Harker picks an SIS
CMS • Keepers / Content Managers • Communications • Admissions • Alumni • Development • Parent organization(s) • Athletics / Activities Directors Harker picks an SIS
CMS • Options • Homemade • FinalSite, Whipple Hill, SilverPoint • Unitary solutions Harker picks an SIS
Learning Management System (LMS) • Constituencies • Teachers • Students • Academic Administrators • Parents Harker picks an SIS
LMS • Keepers / Content Managers • Teachers • Librarians • Instructional Specialists Harker picks an SIS
LMS • Options • Moodle • BlackBoard • Desire2Learn • Angel • eClassroom Harker picks an SIS
Student Information Systems - SIS • Constituencies • Registrars • Senior Administrators • Academic Deans • Division Heads / Principals • Teachers • Students • Parents Harker picks an SIS
SIS • Keepers / Content Managers • Registrars • Teachers • Academic Deans • Senior Administrators Harker picks an SIS
Senior Systems Blackbaud Pearson SASI PowerSchool Chancery Rediker Whipple Hill Spiral Systems eSchool Plus inResonance SIS Options for Independent SchoolsWe found at least 15 Harker picks an SIS
3 Bubbles Public Face (CMS) Student Information System (SIS) Learning Management System (LMS) Harker picks an SIS
The Intersections Matter • SIS – Demographic and record keeping key • Public Face – market perception, parent communication, calendar, admissions • LMS – Assignments, activities, & resources Harker picks an SIS
Intersections • What about calendar? • Academic • Non-academic • Administrative • Demographic updates • How and by whom • Communications Harker picks an SIS
System Selection Process • Process is worthwhile • Determine who will decide • Determine your criteria • Include All stakeholders • Screen • Present • Decide Harker picks an SIS
Persuade the Head • Why do you want/need to change • Efficiency? • Admin • Teacher • Student • Family • Additional features? • Things that aren’t working? • Integration? Harker picks an SIS
Who are the Deciders? • Limit the group • Cover major constituencies • Head must be a part • Stakeholders need to be heard Harker picks an SIS
Criteria • What are the features • Must haves • Like to haves • Didn’t know you could do that • Check with stakeholders Harker picks an SIS
What did we do? • Admin meeting on three bubble theory • Hold all software additions until we had decided on all three bubbles • Screening Group: • Office of Communications on CMS • Director of Instructional Tech on LMS • Dir of Inst Tech and Academic Dean on SIS Harker picks an SIS
Coarse Screen • Identify major criteria • Hit friends & listservs: • ISED-L • BAISnet • Former contacts & personal experience Harker picks an SIS
First Review • Between 15 & 20 narrowed to 11 • First major presentation • Intended to show that things could be better • Became one of the final four Harker picks an SIS
Spreadsheet Criteria Harker picks an SIS
Final Four • More detailed screening • “Ballpark pricing” • The Excellent Question • 10 years on SIS • 5 years on LMS • 5 years on CMS Harker picks an SIS
Review Group • Head & Assistant Head Academic Affairs • Academic Dean, Director of Inst. Tech • All Division Heads • Academic & College Counseling • Admissions • Business Office & IT • Teachers from every division Harker picks an SIS
3 Hour Meetings • Teacher experience • IT requirements, security, customization, integration • Admin, counselor, etc. experience • Written feedback collected by Ass’t Head Harker picks an SIS
Review of Options • What if we didn’t change? • What if we only changed some? • Could we meet criteria? Harker picks an SIS
Consensus Meeting • Head • Assistant Head • Academic Dean • Dir. of Inst. Tech • Dir. of Information Tech • Lead Scheduler • Business Manager Harker picks an SIS
Now where are we? • Final negotiations • Implementation Timeline • Kickoff integration plan Harker picks an SIS
3 Bubbles Admissions Public Face (CMS) Development Alumni Business Student Information System (SIS) Learning Management System (LMS) Harker picks an SIS