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“ The best part is that I don't have to remember to go looking for grades, when new grades are available, an email says so. All I have to do is log on and type in my screen name and password. Then I am either pleasantly surprised or rather annoyed.”
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Parents, kids give Edline good grades
the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Mirror Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies in Michigan
It seems to be unanimous &emdash; teachers, parents and students like West Bloomfield High School's new system of posting grades, attendance and assignments online.
The school's teachers received Edline accounts this fall after a successful pilot program last year. Teachers have work stations in which they can post test results, grades and other information for students and parents to access.
“I can't say enough good things about it,” said Nancy Benner, parent of Brian, 15, who is in 10th grade. “It is so simple to use and to read.”
“If you find their grades are good, you can compliment or reward them or do whatever you need to do to keep them motivated. If you find their grades are slipping, then you can catch it early and it gives a chance to tum it around. If you wait for progress reports to come in the mail, then valuable time is wasted.”
IMPROVED COMMUNICATION
Neil Currie, district instructional technology systems coordinator, said that the school's teachers this year traded laptops for new IBM personal computers with the Edline system. Edline is aimed at improving communication between parents, students and teachers, he said.
An activation code was distributed to students and parents to set up their own account. “Well over 90 percent of our kids' parents have computer access,” he said. Those that don't, he said, can access the system at the West Bloomfield library. For William Bishop, Spanish teacher for grades 9-12, Edline has many advantages. For instance, it will automatically tally grades on an ongoing basis. He added, “The more we take the mystery out of grades, the better.”
In addition to grades and attendance, each instructor can upload on their site whatever class information they wish. “You have to get in and play with it and try things out. Some people have the patience for it, others don't,” teacher Sue Cole said. For instance, in the algebra class where she is a team teacher, the site has links to a helpful math site. Textbooks can also be downloaded.
“It's only just beginning now,” Cole said of the development and use of the system. "Parents haven't necessarily activated accounts. I think by the time the second semester rolls around, you can see how the kids are liking it and not liking it." Does the instant access to grades give parents too much of a role in students' lives? Students asked don't think so. “I like them to know how I'm doing,” said senior Abby Narens, 17. “It's a really good invention.” Mohammed Saed, 15, agreed: “Being able to see grades every day is a good thing. I like it.”
Curries sees wider district use of the system in the future.
“We've tried to be on the cutting edge and we've been very fortunate and our voters have supported us by passing a bond in technology, which is why this is possible,” he said. The West Bloomfield Schools Foundation provided the funding for the Edline system for the 2006-07 school year, he added.
The “paperless” system could also cut costs, for instance, if mailed progress reports are eliminated as a result, he said.