More information on the new Web-based gradebook

Taking a second look at the new PowerSchool Web-based gradebook here are more details:

First of all, those of you who are familiar with itunes, that is closer to what the new grade book looks like – it is easier on the eye than PowerGrade.

Here’s some cons:

*You will only be able to see one quarter at a time.

*The copy class information or assignment information from one class to another is NOT available in this first version.

*The “Fill Score” feature is also NOT available in this version.

*There is NO seating chart in this version.

*Attendance is not taken from the gradebook – not a problem for the Diocese since I have encouraged all of you to take attendance from PowerSchool Teacher anyway.

MORE PROs:

Midterm and Final Exam grades will be much easier to add to the quarter grades for a semester grade.

There are “sub” filters. You can view by Category and then assignments – i.e., Reading then broken down to tests, quizzes, etc.

You can create assignments that can be given a checkmark (no grade required) to show that it was handed in. You can also chose what assignments to make public to parents and which to hide from view.

There is a function called “Score Inspector” that allows you to do the above and flag an assignment as late or exempt. This is now where you can also type in comments related to that assignment.

Student alerts are now visible in the Grade book where they were only visible in PowerSchool Teacher in the past.

I will be testing the program probably in April. I will keep you informed. Schools already on PowerSchool for the 2006-2007 school year will have the option of choosing which gradebook they want to use for 2007-2008. New schools will start on PowerGrade for the first year.