by Joelle
Tomek
Staff Writer
More Elk Island Catholic schools
EICS) have adopted a program that allows parents to track their
children’s progress online.
After a brief trial run two years ago,
three schools opted to use StudentsAchieve in the 2004/05
year.
Now seven schools, including Holy Spirit, Madonna, Our Lady
of Perpetual Help, Jean Vanier, Our Lady of Angels, St. Luke and St.
Theresa have adopted the system.
“There’s a possibility that a few more
may come on board,” said EICS director of internal services Bob
Dylaba.
He estimated about 10 to 15 school
divisions across the province are using StudentsAchieve and Elk
Island Catholic was one of the earlier jurisdictions to adopt the
program. |
|
Before the web
logs were introduced, some teachers had reservations about instant
access to grades. They were concerned that parents would expect
scores to be available right after a test was taken, or if an error
was made, the grade posted would be assumed to be final before it
could be corrected.
“There was a little apprehension at
first but (teachers) are very happy with it and they think it makes
for better communication between the home and the school,” said
Dylaba.
“When parents come in for a parent
teacher interview, they have much more knowledge about how their
child is doing,” he added. |
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Dylaba said
parents have appreciated the program, but students actually use it
the most.
For families who do not have an
Internet connection at home, the system can be accessed from
computers in school libraries.
The password-protected site uses the
same security process as online banking and shopping, Dylaba
added.
Because not all parents check the web
log or have easy Internet access, the system will not replace
regular progress
reports. |
