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Staying in line

St. Louis Post - October 9, 2004

By Alene Hill

When is the English test scheduled? Which biology assignment is due tomorrow? What are the grades in Spanish so far?

Most students, parents and teachers are quick to admit it's not always easy to negotiate that three-way communication triangle in high school.

But thanks to Edline, a new software program that allows students and parents access to course information, grades and school activities online, those communication gaps are becoming more easily and quickly bridged this year at Collinsville High School.

"Edline enhances our ability to set up communication early in the year among teachers, students and parents - and keep it going through the school year," explained CHS Principal Dr. Daryl Floit. "Students and parents don't have to wait to track progress or know if there is a problem for weeks into the semester. I would say that is crucial for everyone involved."

Improving a child's education by significantly changing the flow of information between the school and home with programs like Edline has allowed the district to apply for federal grants, explained Susan Homes, district technology director.

"Edline connects parents with the school and the day-to-day progress," she said. "This is an innovative program that helps parents become more involved. That allowed us to fund Edline through Title V - part of the No Child Left Behind Consolidation Grant application."

The program, which is available to the district through an annual subscription, is currently available only at the high school, where it is being piloted this year, she said.

"The cost of the subscription is $258 per month," Homes said. "In this case, the program would have the biggest impact at the high school level. But I would like to see it extended to another district school next year when we sit down and evaluate whether it has helped teachers and parents."

Before the Labor Day weekend, letters were sent to parents of high school students explaining Edline. The letter provided a personal activation code and step-by-step instructions on setting up an account.

"Within a week, 500 accounts had been activated, and it keeps growing every week," said Karen Muller, administrative software support specialist at the high school.

To date, Muller said nearly 1,500 parents and students have activated accounts on Edline - roughly 500 parents and more than 700 students.

"Some teachers help students activate their accounts in computer labs," she said.

Teachers have received training on Edline, with more workshops scheduled for the teachers' in-service workshop on Oct. 22.

"We are providing support for them to learn Edline as well, which is always required when we have new technology to master," Floit said. "We had teachers pair up to help one another to learn the program. I had a teacher help me with it."

While CHS teachers are not mandated to use the system, close to half the faculty have begun to use the program, Muller said.

"For being a new program, that is a good response," she said. "Some have just begun using Edline to post grades, assignments and mid-term reports, while other teachers have gotten very creative. It's new and they are using prep time before classes to work with it. For many, it's just going to take some time."

Floit agreed that given time, more teachers would be able to become familiar with the program and be able to use it effectively.

"It has to be done in baby steps," he said. "Teachers deal with preparing lessons, sponsoring clubs and activities and grading papers. Plus, we have to find a way for them to answer e-mails, sometimes several regarding the same topic."

This isn't the first software program similar to Edline that teachers have used. But, Muller said, the program is more versatile and more user-friendly than the previous software program.

"Not all the teachers could use the other program," she said. "(Edline) accepts different types of grading software teachers use to record grades. I think it is also more parent-friendly and easier to use."

Security of information on Edline, she said, is provided in the same way credit card information is secured online.

"The information, passwords and the information are encrypted," she said.

During her interview, Muller logged onto Edline and demonstrated how information can be accessed. In addition to scheduled classes and attendance, grade-point average history, test grades, assignments, guidance information and even vaccination history is provided.

Links on the Web site to events throughout the district, entire CHS sports schedules, the Collinsville Unit 10 District's Web site and the CHS Web site can provide any information a student or parent could want.

Mike Bartsch, a CHS science teacher, sees the advantage of Edline from the perspective of a parent and a teacher.

"Parents and the kids have access to grades on the Internet and from that Web site they can e-mail me right away if there is a concern - maybe trouble on a test, or any other problem," he said. "It's a way for the parents to be more involved."

Bartsch points to the sometimes frustrating and time-consuming method of addressing parents' concerns the old way.

"With both parents working in most homes, you have to try to catch one at home and that can take time," he said.

In addition, Bartsch said Edline has made him a better teacher as well as prodding him to organize lecture notes and details about class projects so students can access information whenever it is needed.

"I am also the parent of a freshman," he explained. "About four of her six teachers use (Edline) and it's so helpful to have that information available if we need it. I think this is a great program."