Schools to open grade books online

December 19, 2008

Parents who want to know how many times their freshman has ditched class or their third grader has been sent to the office will be able to find out online.

Graham Independent School District will be offering an online grade book for parents to access starting in January. According to Jayne Beale, technology director, parents can follow a link from the school Web site, type in their assigned secure log-in and password generated by the school or district office through Skyward Student Software and student information is available in real time right from the Skyward student database.

Parents will be able to see student information, attendance, current year schedules, discipline, grading and health records.

Beale said the new feature will not require additional work for teachers.

“Teachers have been using the system for over a year,” she said. “We’re just allowing parents to open that up and view the grades.”

With Family Access, parents will be able to see detailed absence information including whether absences are excused or unexcused along with absence reasons. Beale said parents who take a look at the site and see an unexcused absence have the option to send a note directly to the school office.

The grade book also shows a student’s exact schedule information. It lists teachers, times and rooms.

“This includes links to the teachers’ e-email addresses,” said Beale.

Parents will also be able to view all disciplinary actions and a student’s offenses. The online grade book displays the data, description, location, discipline officer and action taken for each particular offense.

“But the driving force behind this is the grades,” said Beale.

When a parent logs in, a student’s entire history of the current year is displayed. The website shows grades on all quizzes and tests, as well as progress reports. Teachers will also have missing assignments listed on the site along with GPA and class rank.

Superintendent Beau Rees said this feature should help parents immensely.

“It makes it more convenient for parents to keep up with the education of their child,” he said. “It’s a good tool to help parents help their kids be successful.”



Texas Graham Leader
Cherry Young