edld+5362+week+3+assignment

** Introduction:  ** // Highland Park I.S.D. is currently going thru a student information system software transition. In my analysis I will compare and contrast the two systems. SASI, the current student information software program, is a cross platform system by Pearson School System. At the district level, we are now transitioning to Skyward as our new web-based student information system. Highland Park High School will make the jump to the new software in the spring after teachers are trained on the gradebook module. //  After speaking with district personnel, I was unable to obtain an accurate cost analysis of the original cost for ownership of the SASI software. This system has been in place for more than 8 years. However, the current annual license fee was approximately $25,000 dollars per year. The new Skyward program cost is as follows: One-Time Investment: $98,694.00 Installation and Training: $70,285.00 Annual License Fee: $38,260.00 Total Student Management Suite Investment: $207,239.00 // SASI andSkyward figures provided by: (Cunningham, C. HP I.S.D. Administrator of Web Services; Email, 1/28/10)  // || Skyward has all these same features plus places to note special programs such as gifted and talented, special education, and ADA students. It is also a grade book program so we will no longer run two different programs like we do now with SASI and eSembler. This should help with grade changes, UIL rules, etc. Other features include parent access, places to store test scores, such as TAKS, PLAN, ACT, SAT, AP, or district benchmarks. || Skyward software is capitable of providing what SASI can do, but it adds the component of tracking testing history. || Since we have just begun the training on Skyward, it’s hard to say whether it is user friendly. Current district employees are now on a new learning curve and could not sincerely evaluate its true ease. Skyward has so many new capabilities, the information has been overwhelming for some. “I know that everyone on the committee that looked at various student information systems was in favor of purchasing Skyward.” (Cunningham, C., HP I.S.D. Administrator of Web Services, Phone Conversation, 1/27/10 ) || Skyward is offering all the same support as SASI with no discernable difference in customer support at this point in the relationship. || From my research, I discovered that most of the SASI training was done in small group or one on one, such as when a new employee needed to learn the software. M. Gott stated that in eight years with the district, she only received one day of training from a company trainer. Skyward offers large group (20), small group, and individual training and belives in breaking up the training into modules so that only the people who will use that particular module are involved in the training. I am not sure how many days are included in the district contract. ||    ** __ Conclusion __ **  // In conclusion, Highland Park I.S.D. is moving to Skyward personal information system software in an attempt to tie its teacher grade book system and student information system into one seamless package. It also needs to be able to expand its ability to gather student testing data as the state requires more end-of-course exams, and the ability to allow its users to see important data on students. Skyward allows for module expansion in the future, a component that SASI was missing. This appears as if it will be a good purchase by Highland Park School District. //
 * Student Information System Evaluation Chart **
 * ** Areas To Address  ** || **  Your Findings and Evaluation  ** ||
 * Total Cost of Software Ownership (including reoccurring and ongoing costs) ||
 * Software Features Set ||  SASI functions as a student information system for keeping demographic information on students that is used by the district to report this data to the state for accountability purposes, as in, for example, district funding. It also is the official record for grades, transcripts and credits, and enrollment figures. “SASI is my primary tool for creating the master schedule, scheduling students, and and schedule changes. The other assistant prinicipals use SASI to record discipline and attendance.”(Gott, M. HPHS Curricullum Principal; Personal Conversation 1/25/10)
 * Texas-specific Functionality ||  “SASI has been a very effective way to store and report attendance, enrollment, and discipline; however, our current version does not have a component for tracking testing history.” (Viveros, C. HPISD PEIMS Coordinator, Personal Conversation 1/26/10) The current concern with SASI is the ability to track testing history, especially as the state continues to move to more end-of-course exams.
 * Ease of Use and Reporting ||  In my research I discovered that SASI is fairly user friendly, but it seems as the district is demanding more from the software it is having some difficulties. “Sometimes it loses data or fails to keep schedule changes.” (Gott, M., Curricullum Principal Personal Conversation 1/25/10) I also continue to hear over and over it was just not able to do everything that the district needed it to do.
 * Customer Support and Experience of the Support Staff ||    SASI customer support is provided thru online tutorials, online support and telephone support. According to our district PEMMS coordinator, SASI has always provided adequate support to any issue.
 * Thorough User Training in the Software System ||