Resources

There are many resources available for schools and districts that are focused on ensuring each child is prepared to be successful in his/her next grade or transition. We have identified several good resources from NCA CASI Transitions schools that we would like to list for you. Keep in mind, NCA CASI does not endorse products, but we do want to pass along information that other Transitions schools have found helpful.

Student Information Systems
The advent of NCLB has forced everyone to be more and more cognizant of individual student data. Transitions schools have worked to find products for meeting their information system needs. Here are a few resources that have been used and suggested by some of our Transitions schools and districts.

VRSchoolhouse
VRSchoolhouse has several web-based products that can assist you in tracking performance of students for standards, credentialing, or other purposes. Currently, this company is developing Transitions templates that will allow you to design credentialing and individual student plans to meet your needs. You can contact VRSchoolhouse at www.wrschoolhouse.com or call them at 417-206-4600.

PowerSchool®
PowerSchool is a web-based student information system (SIS) from Apple, simplifies data-driven decision making by providing real-time information to all stakeholders over the Internet. Administrators get the most accurate information to make more effective decisions. Teachers gain timesaving administrative tools, parents gain immediate access to their children's grades, and students can track their own progress. http://www.apple.com/education/powerschool/.

Excelsior Software
The Pinnacle System is a uniquely robust and dependable enterprise solution comprised of servers and utilities that interface with your school's administrative system and the data collected in each teacher's Gradebook2 class files. http://www.excelsiorsoftware.com/solutions.

Midwest Educational Group
The Midwest Educational Group has worked with several Transitions schools and offers several software products that can assist with your needs. Specifically, you might want to check out their Credentialing™ software: http://meglink.com/products/softwarechoice.htm.

Advising, Guiding, Counseling and Career Awareness/Employability Skills
Some of the most challenging work for Transitions schools is in the area of advising, guiding, counseling and career awareness and employability skills. Though Transitions schools and districts often have to do a lot of work to implement their programs in these areas, there are a lot of resources available.

National Career Development Association
The National Career Development Association has all types of resources available. We have also had people tell us their annual conference is outstanding. Check out their website at http://www.ncda.org/.

Communities In Schools
For over 25 years, CIS has championed the connection of needed community resources with schools. By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children's unmet needs, CIS provides the link between educators and the community. The result: Teachers are free to teach, and students - many in jeopardy of dropping out - finally have the opportunity to focus on learning. http://www.cisnet.org/

Surveys
Surveys abound! The question is can you find one that's "right" for your Transitions needs? Following up with former students as well as their parents and current teachers provided critical information for your credentialing process. If you want to make a special survey, you can order the Survey Primer from NCA CASI for only $15 (800-525-9517) and learn how to build your own!

Banach, Banach, & Cassidy
BB&C can manage your survey needs or assist you in developing what you need. BB&C was developer of NCA CASI's Survey Primer. http://www.banach.com/

Research & Service Institute
RSI has provided quality surveys to schools and districts for years. They have worked with several of our Transitions schools in providing Transitions-related questionnaires for students, parents, and teachers. http://www.mindspring.com/~furtweng/rsi/

Other Resources
If you know what you want to ask, and you want to host it on the web, here a couple of other resources our Transitions schools have told us about.
http://www.hostedsurvey.com
http://www.surveymonkey.com/

e-NEWS: December 2004 Issue