Streamlining Service Transitions Through Methodical Planning and Committed Efforts
In the ever-evolving world of education, the implementation of a new Student Information System (SIS) can significantly streamline operations and enhance student support. However, the process involves a delicate balance between the benefits and the challenges that come with change.
Travis McGuire, Assistant Superintendent for Learned Resources at Community High School District 99 in Illinois, recently navigated this balance successfully, earning him the title of Most Innovative Superintendent at a Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit with an Innovative Leader Award.
McGuire spearheaded the implementation of a new SIS, focusing on planning, coordination, pain points, and a successful transition. Central to this process was a phased implementation approach, combined with thorough needs assessment, careful vendor selection, and comprehensive staff training.
Needs Assessment and Goal Setting
The first step in this process is a detailed assessment to identify the district’s unique needs and current challenges. Using this information, clear goals for the new SIS are defined, and a business case is prepared to secure stakeholder buy-in.
Vendor Selection
Peer recommendations and network feedback are invaluable in identifying trusted vendors. It's essential to consider systems renowned for features aligning with your needs. For instance, PowerSchool SIS is popular for managing records, attendance, scheduling, and parent-student communication, offering scalability and customization.
Data privacy and security standards are non-negotiable. Vendors must comply with these standards, including secure storage via cloud hosting services like AWS and strong protections for personally identifiable information (PII) under applicable laws.
Phased Implementation
Implementing the SIS in stages rather than all at once helps manage risks and allows for adjustment based on early feedback. This structured rollout facilitates better adoption and minimises disruptions.
Staff Training and Support
Identifying and addressing data- and system-related training needs across support staff and educators is crucial. Ongoing training sessions focusing on effective use, data security practices, and integrating the SIS with other tools like AI-powered platforms to enhance student support are essential.
A Successful Demo with Infinite Campus
McGuire held a second round of demos with Infinite Campus for the implementation of a new student information system. The second round allowed for a detailed examination of the functionality, operations, and overall flow of the system. Infinite Campus was able to answer direct staff questions, providing professional development for teachers and staff.
Building a Lasting Relationship
A beneficial relationship with a vendor is one where they listen to questions and pay attention to needs. Building a lasting relationship with trust as a cornerstone is important when implementing a new student information system. McGuire suggests having the right people around the table during vendor demonstrations to ensure all concerns are addressed.
One of the greatest assets for educational decision-makers is having enough time to introduce a change to a school or district environment. Investigating new systems is beneficial, but it's important to consider the time it will take to implement them and whether the return on investment will push the school or district to the next level. Knowing the timeline for a change can make the difference between a successful launch or not, as programs and contracts can be time-restrictive.
By combining a phased approach, informed vendor choice, rigorous data governance, and comprehensive staff empowerment, a school district can significantly improve the success and impact of its new SIS implementation.
- Travis McGuire, a leader in education and technology, recently prioritized the planning, coordination, and implementation of a new Student Information System (SIS) in Community High School District 99, focusing on addressing pain points and ensuring a successful transition.
- During the needs assessment stage, Travis identified the district's unique needs and challenges, set clear goals for the new SIS, and prepared a business case to secure stakeholder buy-in.
- After careful vendor selection, he chose Infinite Campus, which boasts features for managing records, attendance, scheduling, and parent-student communication, while ensuring compliance with data privacy and security standards.
- To facilitate better adoption and minimize disruptions, the SIS implementation was phased, with staff trained on effective use, data security practices, and integrating the SIS with AI-powered platforms for enhanced student support.
