Parent Says Student Grading Portal Long Overdue
The web-based grading and schedule portal, 2X Aspen, is expected to be fully up and running for parents and students by fall.
Parent Jeffrey Blonder told school officials two years is too long to wait for the district to make use of its web-based student grading portal, 2X Aspen.
"Two years is unacceptable," the parent said at last week's School Committee meeting.
Superintendent Lynne Celli said the goal is to have the 2X Aspen portal fully operational, for students and parents, by fall. The portal will open March 1, but not be fully operational.
The district bought the Aspen system a year and a half ago.
The delay in getting it up and running has been because some teachers need training, professional development, to use the technology, the superintendent said. 2X Aspen represents a culture change, the superintendent said.
"We need more time to do it right for everyone concerned," the superintendent said in a follow-up interview.
2x Aspen allows parents to sign into an Internet portal that provides information about their child's grades, attendance and schedule. The student also has access to the portal.
The system is used in communities throughout the state, from Somerville to Andover, the parent said.
Whisky
6:32 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Is it fair to think that the union's obstructionist rules are a factor in Millington's departure? I found the user guide on line - how much training does this require? I also had a chat with a teacher - and friend - a couple of months ago, before this was taken off line. That person acknowledged that enough teachers were resistant to using this program. One of the problems identified was "many parents don't understand the information presented. Also if you give parents too much information, and they do not understand it, that starts generating phone calls to ask us questions." I replied "TOUGH! You have to remember two things. One, we're your customer. Two, we're your employer!"
Clarence "Screaming Buffalo" Swamptown
3:35 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Well said Whisky. As for "too much information", if it's my child, I want ALL the information.
schoolstobebetter
9:00 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I am working with X2 in another school district. This software is very easy and user friendly. Teachers basically need a one day of professional training to start using it (teachers at least have 3 prof days during the year). Teachers union is usually very flexible and I do not think it would be obstruction to anything.