PINNACLE GRADE BOOK

1. PINNACLE GRADE BOOK Latonya Wilcox Instructional Technology St. Thomas University

2. Excelsior Software • Fully web-based built on AJAX technology -- just like Google Maps! Fast with no downloads and no plug-ins. • A platform independent application, the Pinnacle Grade book is not only compatible with Internet Explorer, but with Safari and Firefox as well. • All new ergonomically designed and fully intuitive interface for reduced training requirements. • Fully integrates with your current SIS -- comprehensive standards tracking and reporting, grading capabilities, attendance, and more. • True standards-based grade book delivers instant calculations of standards mastery. • Invaluable teacher tool to aid instructional decisions day-to-day in the classroom.

3. Pinnacle Suite • Academic Leaders have the information they need to equitably manage standards-based curriculum, instruction and assessments. • Teachers have the information they need to differentiate instruction for each student in order to improve learning outcomes and increase student achievement. • Students and Parents are empowered participants in the education cycle.

4. Pinnacle Suite The Pinnacle Suite is the only industry solution offering: • student-centered • premier standards-based grade book, • real-time decision support and data analysis • standards-aligned curriculum, assessments and instructional practices • digital-age learning resources

5. Pinnacle Suite • Standards-based grading beyond averaging • Results column calculates standards mastery and traditional grades on-the-fly • Real-time attendance • Attendance and grade comments • Automatic roster and attendance updates • Color-coded attendance and categories • Attendance locks • Weighted/non-weighted categories • Traditional and standards-based report cards generated automatically--no dual entry • Copy/paste assignments • Home screen includes new/dropped students, birthdays and messages from building principal and/or district administrators • Policies that can incorporate district scales, lock/change rights, and color schemes • Mouse-over/hover over student demographics and pictures, grade and attendance

6. Pinnacle For Teachers • Align curriculum, lessons and assessments to state and national learning standards • Create unlimited customized standards-based assessments • Augment instructional resources with a full library of content tagged to specific topics and learning objectives • Segment lesson plans and activities for a single student or group of students to differentiate instruction • Collaborate and share best practices and lesson plans with school and district colleagues • Provide parents with resources to use at home to support student learning objectives • Track attendance and grades • Provide internal and external communication tools that convey student progress • Generate standardized reports by student, class or curriculum area

7. Pinnacle For Administrators • Align your curriculum, assessment and objectives to state and national standards. • Empower your teachers with online assessments and additional supplemental resources.         • Access information about student performance in time to identify opportunities for intervention to get students back on track toward achieving skill mastery. • Create an entire campus of dynamic learning environments that put students on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning. • Simplify all school and district reporting. • Engage students and their families in active support of achieving learning milestones.

8. Pinnacle For Parents & Students • Access curriculum goals and objectives by subject area and topic • Check alignment of instructional goals, lessons and assignments • Confirm attendance, assignment and test completion via school/ district portal, or automated e-mail notification • Verify progress toward learning standards skill mastery • Utilize targeted online supplemental resources when needed

9. Pinnacle Internet Viewer (PIV) gradebook.dysart.org/pinnacle/piv

10. Enter the User name and Password previously sent to you for your student

11. Access your student’s class reportsusing the drop down menus on the left side of the web page

12. Report Selections • Select the class you want to review. • Select the current marking period. • Select type of report you would like to review. • Finish by selecting Get Report.

13. Student Assignment Reports • Lists all the assignments given during the selected marking period. • To receive more information on an assignment, double-click on an assignment Description. • If Categories have been set up, you can also view category points, percentages and letter grades in the table below the list of assignments.

14. Double-Click on the Assignment for more information

15. The Missing Assignments report provides you with a list of each assignment your student has not completed. Double-Click on the Assignment name to get details about the assignments.

16. Pinnacle Grade Book: Opting Out of Paperwork • Complete form that was mailed to your home. • Check box that says • “I do not wish to have a copy of my child’s progress report sent home. I intend on using the Pinnacle Parent Viewer to access my child’s information for the 2008-2009 school year.” • Sign and Date at the bottom of the page where requested.

17. Real-time Students’ progress is available 24/7 for teachers, parents, principals, coaches and counselors across the DUSD community. Email Notification Parents will soon have the option to receive automatic emails regarding grades and attendance for their students. Parents will have the ability to set thresholds for email notification for unexcused absences, progress reports at desired intervals and when a grade drops below a certain level. Pinnacle Internet Viewer Parents will have the ability to view, down to the assignment level, for each class to view grades on individual assessments. Pinnacle Grade Book Benefits

18. Questions…..