Empowering Education: How E-Rate Funding Transforms Internet Access for Schools

In an era where education increasingly hinges on digital resources, ensuring that every student has access to high-speed internet isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Enter the E-rate program, a federal initiative designed to make high-speed internet access affordable and reliable for schools and libraries across the United States.

Understanding E-rate

E-rate is not just another funding opportunity; it’s a strategic federal program aimed at leveling the playing field for all students in the digital age. By providing discounts on services needed for high-speed internet access, E-rate plays a crucial role in ensuring educational institutions can afford the broadband connectivity that is now essential for learning.

The FACTS Advantage

While the benefits of E-rate are clear, navigating the application process is often anything but. FACTS understands that school administrators have enough on their plates without adding the complex, tedious task of E-rate applications. Through our E-Rate Consulting services, we partner with you to secure Category 1 E-Rate funding, focused specifically on bringing broadband to your school. Put simply, we take the burden off your shoulders, handling the intricate details of the E-Rate process so you can focus on what you do best—supporting your students, staff, and school.

Simplifying the E-rate Application Process

When you partner with FACTS for your E-rate application, you gain a dedicated team that guides you through every step of the process.

• Data Collection and Documentation: We assist in gathering all necessary information and managing the required documentation, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
• Submission of Paperwork: From service bids to funding applications and certification, FACTS handles all submissions, making sure everything is in order and submitted on time.
• Compliance and Reviews: We respond to any compliance questions and navigate the review process on behalf of your school, ensuring adherence to all program requirements.
• Monitoring Deadlines and Policy Adjustments: E-rate policies and deadlines can change. We keep a close eye on these adjustments, ensuring your application remains compliant and is submitted within the necessary timelines.

Our role is to streamline the E-rate application process, ensuring your school can secure the funding it needs for broadband access without the administrative headache.

Take the Next Step

For private school administrators looking to enhance or support their school’s digital infrastructure without the burden of navigating the complex E-rate application process alone, leverage the expertise of FACTS E-Rate consulting.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in securing high-speed broadband and ensure your students have the resources they need to thrive in a digital world.

As we approach September 2024, private school administrators are bracing for the expiration of both Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. These resources have been instrumental in supporting schools through the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as these funding streams come to an end, administrators need to look ahead and strategize on how to sustain and enhance their educational programs.

Understanding the Impact

The expiration of EANS and ESSER funds marks the end of significant financial support that helped private schools manage during the pandemic. These funds covered expenses ranging from sanitation and health measures to technology upgrades and remote learning capabilities. The withdrawal of this support will undoubtedly leave a gap that needs to be addressed thoughtfully and efficiently.

The Promise of ESSA Equitable Services

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) offers an alternative pathway for private schools to continue to access and receive federal funding. While ESSA funds are not directly allocated to private schools, they are entitled to equitable services in certain program areas facilitated through either their local education agency (LEA) or by using a third-party provider, like FACTS. Understanding how to navigate this process is key to unlocking potential support in areas such as professional development, instructional materials, and educational technology.

Strategies for Leveraging ESSA Equitable Services

1. Build Strong Relationships with LEAs: Success in accessing ESSA fund begins with fostering positive relationships with local education agencies. Open lines of communication and collaborative planning are essential for ensuring that the needs of private school students are met.
2. Identify Needs and Prioritize Services: Conduct a thorough needs assessment to determine the areas where your school requires the most support. Prioritize these needs in discussions with your LEA to ensure that the services provided are impactful and aligned with your educational goals.
3. Understand Eligible Programs: ESSA covers various programs, including Title I instructional services for underperforming, academically disadvantaged students, professional development for teachers under Title II, and English language acquisition programs under Title III. Familiarize yourself with these programs and identify how they can support your school’s specific needs.
4. Engage in the Consultation Process: Active engagement in the consultation process with your LEA is critical. This process determines how equitable services are provided and ensures that the services address the needs identified by private schools.
5. Leverage Technology and Professional Development: With the shift in education towards more digital and blended learning environments, using ESSA funds for technology integration and professional development can be particularly effective. Focus on initiatives that build teacher capacity and enhance student learning experiences.
6. Monitor and Evaluate Services: Once services are being provided, it’s important to monitor their effectiveness and ensure they are meeting students’ needs. On-going feedback ensures that strategies will be adjusted as necessary to maximize the impact of the support received.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

The expiration of EANS and ESSER funds presents both challenges and opportunities for private school administrators. By pivoting towards ESSA Funding, schools can continue to access federal support for critical educational services. The key to success lies in understanding the intricacies of the ESSA framework, engaging constructively with LEAs, and strategically aligning the available services with the school’s needs. This transition period offers a chance to reinforce the resilience and adaptability of private schools, ensuring they continue to deliver high-quality education in the post-pandemic landscape.

Interested in a free ESSA Consultation with FACTS? Contact the FACTS team to see what funds are available for your school.

As the academic year winds down, educators and administrators face the perennial challenge of summer learning loss, a phenomenon where students lose academic skills and knowledge over the summer months. Research shows that the average student loses 17-34% of the previous year’s learning gains over summer break, with losses being more pronounced in math and reading skills. This can have a cumulative effect, widening the achievement gap and setting students back at the start of the new school year.

Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach that not only reinforces academic learning but also engages students in enrichment activities and encourages at-home family involvement. Below, we outline a comprehensive summer school plan designed to mitigate summer learning loss and prepare your students for the school year ahead.

Planning a Summer Learning Program

FACTS understands that planning a summer learning program presents a unique set of challenges for schools, requiring careful consideration and resource allocation. That’s why we specialize in partnering with schools to plan a comprehensive summer school program that includes academic intervention, enrichment activities, and family involvement, designed to mitigate summer learning loss while simultaneously enriching students’ educational experiences.

Academic Interventions

1. Targeted Academic Programs: Summer courses focus on core subjects like math, reading, and writing. We use current assessment data to tailor content to student needs, helping to bridge achievement gaps.
2. Blended Learning Environments: FACTS incorporates technology to create a blended learning opportunity. These online programs offer personalized learning experiences, enabling students to progress at their own pace.

Enrichment Activities

1. Arts and Culture: These enrichment programs boost creativity and global cultural appreciation. Students engage in immersive artistic activities, exploring art history and techniques, or take virtual “trips” to countries such as Greece, Egypt, Kenya, and Costa Rica, diving into each nation’s music, food, games, and history.
2. STEM Activities: Through engaging hands-on activities and labs with reusable materials ranging from building blocks to programmable robotics, these projects promote creativity and problem-solving, turning a curiosity in science and engineering into a lifelong passion.
3. Academics Through Baking: This innovative enrichment program blends math, literacy, and science with practical baking activities, enabling students to master STEM and literacy concepts through a series of lessons that culminate in a collaborative baking project.

At-Home Family Activities

1. Promote Reading for Fun: Encourage students to read daily. Create summer reading lists tailored to students’ interests and reading levels. Partner with local libraries to inform students about summer reading programs, which often include incentives for meeting reading goals.
2. Incorporate Math in Everyday Activities: Math loss can be more severe than reading loss over the summer. Encourage parents to integrate math into daily activities. Cooking, shopping, and even playing certain games can reinforce math skills in a fun and practical way.
3. Utilize Online Learning Tools: Digital resources can be a game-changer for keeping students engaged academically during the summer. Recommend educational apps and websites that offer practice in various subjects. Many platforms gamify learning, making it more appealing to students.
4. Encourage Educational Trips: Museums, zoos, and science centers offer educational experiences that can enrich students’ understanding of various subjects. Encourage families to plan visits to such places or organize school-sponsored trips.

Addressing summer learning loss requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond traditional classroom instruction. By incorporating academic interventions, enrichment activities, and family engagement, summer school programs can not only prevent the slide but also enhance the educational experiences ensuring students return in the fall ready to learn and succeed.

Contact FACTS to start planning a summer learning program that is both enriching and enjoyable for your students today.

From our trusted partner, CampusGuard

Updated research released this month from Malwarebytes documented a 92% rise in ransomware targeting K-12 education, with nearly half of those against U.S. school districts.  

Ransomware criminals will often focus on hacking networks tied to essential services. K-12 institutions are prime targets due to the amount of sensitive student data and administrative staff records stored within their systems. Schools often possess access to parent data, including Social Security numbers and payment card information.  

In 2022, the Los Angeles Unified School District experienced a severe ransomware attack. Last year, the Minneapolis School District suffered a breach with over 300,000 files leaked, including medical records and discrimination complaints, and a $1 million ransom request. These attacks can persist anywhere from a few days to several weeks, leading schools to disrupt the educational process and suspend classes for an extended duration while network systems and data are restored.  

K-12 school systems have lagged in adopting and implementing security measures such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication, often due to insufficient information technology resources and funding. Educating end users on how to proactively protect themselves and their school community is critical for prevention. Key topics to include within your staff awareness training include: 

• Email Security  
• Password Security (best practices for creating and using passwords) 
• Social Engineering (phishing and vishing prevention) 
• Internet Safety (social media, browsing habits, and personal devices) 
• System Security (software updates, anti-virus, and multi-factor authentication) 
• Data Security (protecting sensitive data types) 
• Incident Reporting (and response) 

Ensuring users can relate to real-world scenarios and lessons learned will empower them to make better, more informed decisions in both their personal and professional lives. It is also important for end users to understand their role in protecting student and staff information, and how to respond to a potential attack or breach quickly and effectively.  

“CampusGuard has served as a trusted partner in IT Security and Compliance across higher education institutions since 2009,” said Andy Grant, Director of Business Development for CampusGuard.“With similar cybersecurity risks and threats increasingly targeting K-12 schools, it only made sense for us to partner with FACTS to help bring our team’s expertise and support to the FACTS school environments. We are excited to to protect schools from compromise with our comprehensive information security and compliance training courses and resources to engage staff with actionable information security best practices.” 

Contact CampusGuard to learn more about security awareness and compliance training courses available now through our partnership. 

In a world with constantly rising costs of living, financial literacy has quickly become a must-have skill for students to master before high school graduation. Ongoing research from the University of Montana highlights the multitude of rewards of offering a financial education to younger learners, stretching from improved credit card management to the broader landscape of practical financial judgment. Let’s take a closer look at the significance of financial literacy for K-12 students and the growing movement towards adopting this vital subject into curricula.

Why Financial Literacy Matters in K-12 Education

The Ripple Effect on Credit Card Habits

When we offer financial literacy education at schools, it gifts students with the capability to make savvier choices regarding credit card utilization. Young adults that receive this education are more likely to understand the consequences of the rates of interest, overdue fees, and the benefits of repaying more than the bare minimum. This, in turn, safeguards them against accumulating burdensome debts.

On top of that, a strong grasp of financial principles helps students nurture and maintain a healthy credit report, a vital part of their future economic well-being. Knowing the basics of credit cards, loans, and budgeting can help students make better choices when taking out loans, too. By instituting basic financial literacy classes in K-12 schools, we could potentially cut down the number of young adults stepping into their adult years bearing the burden of stifling debt.

The Surge in Financial Literacy Classes across the US

The increase of finance lessons into the K-12 curricula nationwide symbolizes a refreshing shift in educational interests. With a growing consensus on the crucial role of financial aptitude, more and more states are endorsing or promoting schools to teach this pivotal subject. These learning sessions typically cover basics like saving, investing, budgeting, and understanding loans. The aim is to arm students with the competency to tackle real-life financial hurdles post-graduation.

The spur in these initiatives reflects the understanding that financial literacy isn’t an add-on, but a vital requisite for success in today’s economic environment. Educators are stepping beyond traditional subjects like mathematics and reading and fostering the application of these skills in real-world financial situations. Consequently, students graduate with the tools in their arsenal to navigate the financial landscape.

The Bigger Picture

Seeing more and more schools implement financial literacy classes is a heartening evolution in American education. By empowering students with the proficiency to manage personal finances, schools are playing a vital role in shaping life-skill literate citizens of the future that contribute positively to the nation’s economy. Moreover, by introducing financial literacy in schools, we’re leveling the playing field and allowing students from every walk of life to access crucial financial know-how. Ultimately, this trend underlines a commitment to preparing students for the financial challenges that lie in the road to adulthood.

The admissions process is undergoing a remarkable transformation as Gen Z, with their digital expertise, steps into the role of parents handling enrollment for their children. This shift is challenging schools to revamp their processes to cater to a generation that values direct website communication over phone calls and craves a digital-first approach. As digital natives, Gen Z demands a personalized and diverse communication style – and K-12 admissions professionals must adapt to thrive.

Understanding the Gen Z Perspective

The Importance of Adapting to Digital Natives

Gen Z’s arrival as key decision-makers in their children’s education demands a fresh approach to admissions. As digital natives, this generation has grown up with technology intertwined in their daily lives, making them more inclined to seek information and communicate online. Traditional methods like phone calls are often set aside in favor of instant and accessible digital channels.

Schools must recognize that to engage with Gen Z parents effectively, they need to present information in a way that aligns with their digital preferences. This includes a responsive, mobile-friendly website, direct messaging capabilities, and a strong presence on social media platforms. By adapting to Gen Z habits, schools can ensure that they remain relevant and accessible in an increasingly competitive market.

How Gen Z Communication Preferences Influence Admissions

Gen Z’s communication preferences are reshaping how schools must approach admissions. This generation favors quick, succinct, and visually engaging interactions over lengthy, text-heavy content. To capture their attention, admissions materials need to be concise and easily digestible, with a strong emphasis on visual storytelling, such as infographics and short videos.

Additionally, this demographic expects real-time interactions, which means schools should consider implementing chatbots and live chat services for immediate response to inquiries. Admissions processes that fail to align with these preferences may appear outdated and could deter prospective families.

Redefining the Admissions Process

The Power of Website-Based Communication

Website-based communication is now a cornerstone of effective admissions strategies. For Gen Z, a school’s website serves as the initial and most critical point of contact. It’s essential that the site provides a seamless experience, with easy navigation and clear calls to action. Gone are the days when a phone call was the primary way to get information or ask questions; today’s parents expect to find everything they need online. This includes application forms, FAQs, virtual tours, and even scheduling tools for appointments.

By investing in a robust, interactive website, schools can cater to the always-on mentality of Gen Z, providing them with the ability to access information and complete tasks at their convenience.  A great site also streamlines the admissions process, making it more efficient for both families and schools.

Optimizing User Experience for Gen Z Parents

Optimizing the user experience (UX) on school websites is vital to meet Gen Z parents’ expectations. This generation values efficiency, intuitive design, and personalized interactions. To appeal to them, schools must ensure their websites are fast-loading, mobile-optimized, and easy to navigate. A user-centric website design includes straightforward menus, search functionality, and accessible content that addresses prospective parents’ questions.

Personalization can be achieved through tailored content, such as welcome messages or recommended resources based on user behavior. By incorporating interactive elements such as virtual tours, video testimonials, and chat services, schools can create an engaging and informative platform.

The Role of Diversity in Gen Z School Selection

Appreciating the Gen Z Approach to Diversity

Gen Z parents place high value on diversity and inclusivity, viewing them as essential elements of a quality education. This emphasis on diversity goes beyond demographic statistics; it encompasses a school’s culture, curriculum, and community involvement. Gen Z seeks environments where varied perspectives are celebrated, and where their children can learn from experiences different from their own.

For admissions professionals, understanding this priority means highlighting how their institutions foster an inclusive environment. This could involve showcasing multicultural events, diversity in staff, and a curriculum that addresses global issues. Acknowledging and embracing this generational shift toward diversity can significantly enhance a school’s appeal to prospective families.

Integrating Inclusivity in Your Admissions

To effectively integrate inclusivity into admissions, schools must ensure that every aspect of the process reflects their commitment to diversity. This starts with creating an admissions team that is as diverse as the student body they wish to cultivate. Communication materials should depict the variety of cultures and backgrounds represented in the school, and outreach should extend to communities that have historically been underrepresented.

Inclusivity also means providing equal access to admissions resources, such as offering materials in multiple languages and ensuring that website content is accessible to individuals with disabilities. By implementing these practices, schools not only affirm their dedication to inclusivity but also empower a broader range of families to see themselves as part of the school community. Ultimately, an admissions process that prioritizes inclusivity lays the foundation for a diverse and enriching educational environment for all students.

In today’s digital age, educational technology (EdTech) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive school data. Whether educators are navigating remote work setups or traditional classrooms, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures is essential. Recent headlines about data breaches in the education sector serve as stark reminders of the importance of data security. While FACTS is guarding your most important information with industry-best security measures, here are some ways you can practice cybersecurity best practices every day.

Implement a Data Classification Policy for Enhanced Cybersecurity

Establishing a data classification policy ensures that sensitive information receives the appropriate level of protection. By categorizing data based on its sensitivity, schools can tailor security measures accordingly. For instance, financial records and student health information demand stringent encryption and restricted access, while public data like newsletters may require less stringent measures.

Strengthen Network Security and Access Controls

With the proliferation of EdTech tools and remote learning, evaluating network security measures becomes paramount. Educators must assess equipment and network access for both on-site and remote work setups. Deploying Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions and emphasizing secure Wi-Fi network usage fortify defenses against cyber threats, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

Enforce a Clean Desk Policy for Physical Data Security

In the era of remote work, ensuring physical data security poses unique challenges. Educators must designate secure workspaces and adhere to clean desk policies to safeguard physical documents and devices. By setting clear boundaries and refraining from sharing workspace images, potential security breaches are mitigated, bolstering overall data protection efforts.

Heighten Awareness and Training Initiatives

Regular training sessions on data classification, protection protocols, and cybersecurity best practices are essential for educators and staff. Particularly for departments handling sensitive data like admissions and financial aid, increased vigilance is critical. Reinforcing password policies, emphasizing data storage security, and promoting adherence to transmission protocols contribute to a robust cybersecurity posture.

Incorporating these cybersecurity measures not only ensures data protection but also fosters trust among stakeholders. As educators navigate the complexities of EdTech integration, prioritizing cybersecurity safeguards the integrity of educational operations and upholds the trust of students, parents, and school leadership.

When it’s time to choose a student information system (SIS) for your school, the decision-making process can seem overwhelming. However, focusing on the right considerations can streamline your search and ensure you ask the most pertinent questions to find a system that fits your institution’s needs. Let’s delve into the key aspects that should guide your inquiries.

Understanding Your School’s Unique Requirements

Start by assessing your school’s specific needs. Consider student population, academic programs, and administrative challenges. What features are non-negotiable? Identifying these will help you craft targeted questions that get to the heart of what your school requires from an SIS.

1. Customization and Scalability

• How customizable is the SIS to fit our school’s unique processes and needs?
• Can the system easily scale as our student population grows?

2. Cost Analysis and Value

• What are the total costs, including setup, training, and ongoing maintenance?
• How does the pricing structure align with our budget and expected ROI?

3. Integration Capabilities

• Can the SIS seamlessly integrate with our existing tools and software platforms?
• What is the process for integrating new tools in the future?

4. Support and Training

• What kind of training and support does the provider offer to ensure smooth implementation and adoption?
• How responsive is the support team to queries and issues?

5. User Experience

• How intuitive is the user interface for administrators, teachers, students, and parents?
• Is there a demo or trial period to test the system’s usability?

6. Data Security and Compliance

• What measures are in place to protect sensitive student and staff data?
• How does the system comply with relevant education and privacy regulations?

7. Reporting and Analytics

• What reporting capabilities does the SIS offer to track and analyze student performance, attendance, and other metrics?
• How customizable are the reports to meet our specific needs?

8. Maintenance, Updates, and Future-Proofing

• How often does the system receive updates, and what is the process for implementing them?
• What future-proofing measures are in place to ensure the SIS evolves with technological advancements?

9. Accessibility and Inclusivity

• Is the SIS accessible to all users, including those with disabilities?
• Can the system be accessed on various devices and platforms to ensure inclusivity?

10. References and Success Stories

• Can you provide references or case studies from other schools that have successfully implemented your SIS?
• What feedback have they provided, particularly regarding challenges and how they were addressed?

Wrapping Up: Making Your Decision

Armed with these considerations and questions, you’re well-equipped to navigate the selection process for a student information system. Remember, the goal is not just to find a system that meets your current needs but one that will grow with your institution and continue to support your educational mission for years to come.

Interested in learning how FACTS SIS can meet your school’s unique needs? Contact the FACTS team for personalized insights.

Teachers are the heroes of your school. These living, breathing examples of your school’s mission, vision, and values regularly serve fellow teachers, students, parents, and community members. Showing teacher appreciation is an important part of increasing and maintaining morale, but it doesn’t have to be costly. You can show how much you appreciate your teachers on any budget!  

As we approach Employee Appreciation Day, let’s explore new ways to express sincere gratitude and keep your teachers motivated with small yet meaningful gestures. Here are a few creative ideas to try:  

Don’t underestimate the power of words. 

It’s important to regularly verbalize how much your teachers mean to you and your community. “Thank you” are two words we may not say enough, but they can go a long way. Use these two powerful words to encourage your teachers, keep them motivated, and increase their loyalty to your school.  

Give them a handwritten letter or card. 

Need some inspiration? Here’s an example: 

Dear [Teacher’s Name], 

Thank you for your dedication to [School]. Your compassion and kindness toward others are an inspiration to all members of our community. [Acknowledge the specific role your teacher played or a particular strength of the teacher]. We are incredibly grateful for and humbled by your efforts, and we want you to know that your work has not gone unnoticed. Thank you again for all that you do. 

Sincerely, 

[Your Name] 

Use your school’s mobile app to connect.  

Handwritten cards and letters are thoughtful and provide a nice touch, but you can also use your school’s mobile app or texting capability to show appreciation in a quick, efficient way. Sending an encouraging and appreciative text before or after your teacher’s day can make a huge difference in how they feel going into (or leaving) their classroom. 

Learn more about how you can use tech to connect here.

Throw a celebration dinner.  

Hold a special evening just for your school’s teachers as a culmination of their accomplishments throughout the year. You could make it as simple and fun as a pizza party, a potluck, or something more formal. Think about other teacher appreciation dinner ideas that you can use, like picking a theme for your gathering, or reserving a special location for the event. 

Give your teachers a shout out on Fridays.  

Surprise your teachers on Friday with an announcement, email, or poster to show everyone in your community how grateful you are for their hard work.  

Take photos of your teachers at work and post them on social media.  

Bring your appreciation to Facebook, Instagram, or another social media platform to show the world how amazing your teachers are. Take lots of photos of them teaching, interacting with students, or helping your community and post them. Your teachers are proud of what they do and will love that you’re celebrating their work.  

Offer to write letters of reference for student teachers or encourage more opportunities. 

Don’t forget about student teachers at your school. Being a reference when they are ready to start their teaching career can give them a feeling of support and encouragement while on their journey.  

Provide snacks and refreshments regularly at school events.  

Set up a coffee bar, hot cocoa bar, or dessert bar for your teachers. Be sure to include a sign that shares your thankfulness for their participation. 

Tell your teachers’ stories.  

Take the time to interview your teachers and write up a few stories to share via the school website, mobile app, or newsletter. By putting the spotlight on them and the great ways they’re helping your school you’ll not only make them feel special, but their stories will help inspire others to get involved with education in their community.  

One great way to do this is to host a learning camp and highlight your teachers having a fun and engaging experience with students. After the camp, you can put together a recap video showing the way students were able to focus on learning in this environment and discuss how much fun everyone had with teacher interviews. 

Listen to your teachers and engage with their ideas.  

Your teachers are always in the classroom, so they’re bound to have great ideas and fresh perspectives. Give them regular opportunities to provide feedback and share their ideas through digital forms and surveys. Listening to the people who regularly show up for your school is critical to not only showing appreciation for teachers but gauging the health of your school’s culture.  

Show them how they fit into the big picture.  

No matter how insignificant the task may seem, every teacher wants to know how their work connects to the vision of the school. Remind them regularly that the work they’re doing is important to the school’s mission. Show them how they’re making a difference with success stories, student performance stats, and the overall results of their work. Knowing they’ve made an impact on their community makes them feel fulfilled and deepens their sense of purpose.

Showing teacher appreciation requires creativity, sincerity, and a personal touch. By implementing these 11 strategies, schools can effectively express their gratitude, boost morale, and reinforce the invaluable role teachers play in shaping the future.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of K-12 education, data security is a top priority for school administrators, teachers, and families.

FACTS understands the importance of keeping school data secure and values a continuous investment in cybersecurity. This commitment to protecting sensitive student information is reflected across all FACTS products in our efforts to:

• Maintain the highest standards for security and compliance
• Champion open communication
• Foster a culture of community learning
• Evolve based on customer feedback

Let’s dive deeper into the importance of cybersecurity in K-12 schools and how FACTS lives out our commitment to keep critical student data safe.

Why Data Security Matters

Schools hold a vast amount of sensitive data, from student records to staff information. This data is not only personal but also has legal protections.

In our digital age, schools increasingly store student information online, which presents new risks and challenges. Cybersecurity threats, such as data breaches, can result in the exposure of confidential information, putting students and staff at risk. Schools must ensure their networks are secure to maintain trust with parents and the community. Data security in schools is not just about protecting information; it’s about safeguarding the individuals it represents and upholding the integrity of the educational institutions.

FACTS recognizes these challenges and prioritizes robust security measures in our products to address them effectively.

How FACTS Provides Security

We take a multi-layered approach to make sure our products are secure.

1. Data encryption is standard practice, protecting information as it is stored and transmitted.
2. Strong user authentication measures are employed to prevent unauthorized access, including the use of complex passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA).
3. The FACTS product infrastructure is designed to be resilient against attacks. Regular security audits and updates defend against emerging threats.
4. Network security is a priority. Firewalls and intrusion detection systems allow us to monitor and protect against suspicious activities.

FACTS understands that the human element is critical in maintaining security, so we encourage the education for school staff on best practices for data protection. These stringent measures help protect student information, giving schools the confidence that their data is in good hands.

FACTS’ Commitment to Compliance

Maintaining the highest standards of legal and regulatory compliance is a top priority for FACTS. In support of this commitment, we engage in routine audits to verify compliance and identify areas for enhancement.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): With a dedication to upholding FERPA requirements, we ensure that student educational records are kept private and are only disclosed with proper authorization.

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): FACTS aligns our practices with the COPPA, closely following the requirements for the online collection of information from children under 13. Our system is regularly reviewed to meet these standards and adapt to new regulations as they arise.

FACTS Values Open Communication

Open communication is a vital aspect of FACTS’ service philosophy. We believe in the importance of transparent communication with school administrators, teachers, and parents. The FACTS account management team is available to address concerns and answer questions, ensuring that the school communities we serve are never left without guidance. Furthermore, we actively communicate updates and changes in our community platform, ensuring that our customers are informed and prepared for any new features or necessary adjustments.

This value of transparent communication extends to security-related matters. In the event of an incident that may affect data privacy or compliance, relevant parties are promptly notified.

Community Learning Opportunities

FACTS understands that ongoing education is vital for the successful implementation and utilization of our products. So, we provide a variety of community learning opportunities designed to enhance users’ knowledge and skills. These include webinars, workshops, and training sessions that cover a broad range of topics, from basic system functionalities to advanced data management and security practices. These resources empower users at all levels, ensuring that both new and experienced staff can continually develop their expertise.

FACTS encourages a collaborative approach to learning, fostering a community where users can share insights, tips, and best practices. By investing in community learning, FACTS not only supports individual growth but also strengthens the collective capability of educational institutions to manage their systems securely and effectively.

Feedback is the Key to Improvement

At FACTS, we believe that feedback is essential to continuous improvement. Input from customers isn’t just collected. It is critically analyzed and used to guide the development of new features and the refinement of existing functionalities.

By incorporating suggestions from daily users, we evolve our products in a way that is most beneficial to the schools we serve. This iterative process helps to identify and address any potential gaps in service, ensuring that products remain cutting-edge, user-friendly, and secure. Through this responsive approach, FACTS reinforces our dedication to delivering products and services that reflect the real-world needs and challenges of K-12 educational environments.

Your school regularly collects sensitive student information. Keeping that data safe is a big job. FACTS cares about the security of your data. Through transparent partnership and a continuous, demonstrated investment in cybersecurity resources, we can help you have peace of mind. Want to learn more about how FACTS can support your school? Chat with our team.

When you find an ink pen, pencil, dry-erase marker, or [insert your most-used office supply] that works just right, it feels like uncovering the solution to all your problems. But perfect pens and pencils are hard to come by. 

Student information systems (SISs) can be like that too. When you’re stuck with a provider that just doesn’t get it, your administrators, teachers, and families experience a multitude of issues. Common problems include wasting time on non-intuitive systems, constantly resetting passwords because everything has a separate login, and waiting days to hear back from customer service – even when your issue requires immediate attention. 

Maybe you’ve heard similar complaints from people at your school. Or maybe you’ve experienced these issues first-hand. Finding an SIS that’s just right makes all the difference. Here are six common problems a good SIS can solve. 

Inefficient Data Management 

When data is spread across multiple systems that don’t talk to each other, it slows things down and leads to inaccurate reporting. Your administrators may be frustrated by a lack of automation and inability to complete actions in mass. Or they might be tired of an excessively complicated system that makes errors difficult to detect.  

With the right SIS, you’ll have a single source of truth for all your school’s data. This means exporting reports with ease and avoiding duplicate data entry. Dive deeper with these tips for improving data efficiency. 

Separate Logins for Everything 

We all understand the struggle of having a million tabs open on your computer, each with its own login that’s impossible to remember. Having an SIS that doesn’t integrate with the other tools your school uses – like security platforms and learning management systems – creates frustration for administrators, teachers, and families. 

You need a solution to reduce daily tasks, not add to them. A good SIS will integrate seamlessly with the other solutions you rely on. Having a single sign-on makes it easy to switch between products and complete to-do lists efficiently. 

Teachers’ Needs Not Being Met 

Teachers already have full schedules. When an SIS requires excessive clicks to complete basic actions, it likely isn’t providing a great academic experience. If your teachers are struggling to keep track of student documents and battling to input grades and attendance, it might be time to consider switching providers.  

A good SIS will improve workflows for your front office AND your teachers. Look for a system that has options for automating processes. This allows teachers to spend more time supporting students and less time fighting convoluted software. 

Parents Missing Important Messages 

Overly elaborate systems often lead to one department not knowing what another is doing. That creates even more opportunities for families to miss important messages, not to mention the challenge of paper notices disappearing in the bottom of bookbags.  

You need an SIS that keeps communications uniform by reaching parents through their preferred channels – whether that’s email, text alerts, or push notifications. Look for an SIS that’s accessible on mobile devices and has multichannel communication options. Families are happiest when they can tell you how they want to receive messages. 

Families Struggling to Navigate Your Platform 

No matter how much time a product saves your school, if it’s not user-friendly for families, it’s not a good investment. Forcing families to use hard-to-navigate software can cause several problems, such as increased phone calls to your front office, lack of engagement, or even negative impacts to your school’s retention rates. 

The right SIS won’t damage the family experience but instead improve it. To choose technology with families in mind, consider things like how easy it is for parents to find student information and if help is available every step of the way.  

Unresponsive Customer Support 

If you’ve found yourself frustrated with customer support that has poor response times and doesn’t share your urgency for important matters, it might be worth switching providers. 

Great customer support from the implementation stage onward is a crucial factor in your school’s successful use of an SIS. Working with a provider that offers dedicated custom service is key. You need consistent access to software experts who are well versed on your school’s unique needs.  

Like the hunt for the perfect pen, searching for a student information system can be difficult. But when you find one that’s just right, it makes all the difference. At FACTS, we’re committed to helping schools find tools and create processes to become their best. To learn how FACTS SIS could support your school, chat with our team. 

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, the effective use of data has been a game-changer for K-12 schools. While we’ve previously written about the many benefits schools can experience when making use of their data, it’s also important that this data be used efficiently. After all, if your data management solutions are adding hours of tasks to your workday, they’re not truly serving their purpose. Here are some of our top suggestions for increasing data efficiency in your school, helping you make more informed decisions and foster continuous improvement.

Implement User-Friendly Data Management Systems

This might seem obvious, but the first step to improving data efficiency in your school is to invest in the right technology. Great tech can streamline data management processes in several ways, but primarily by bringing all your most important information into one convenient location. Having important information spread across multiple platforms is not only inefficient, it also creates more opportunities for data breaches and confusion.

With solutions like FACTS Student Information System, all the information your school relies on to run smoothly is collected and presented in an easy-to-navigate platform – from grades and behavior to attendance and lunch calendars. The solution you choose should work well for both the parents that will use it to access important school information and the administrators and educators that will use it to collect, analyze, and interpret data. You’ll also want to look for platforms that seamlessly integrate with other systems, allowing you to create a relational database of data.

Automate Data Collection Processes

Manual data entry is time-consuming and prone to errors. Automating data collection processes reduces administrative burden and ensures the accuracy of information. Consider adopting tools that automate routine tasks such as attendance tracking, grading, and assessment data entry, allowing educators to focus on interpreting and utilizing the data rather than spending excessive time on data entry.

Encourage Collaboration Among Stakeholders

Data efficiency is a collective effort that involves teachers, administrators, and parents. With the right system in place, you’ll be able to foster a collaborative environment where everyone involved in a student’s education can view and share insights as they work together to support success. The best way to spark collaboration is with consistent communication. Research what communication channels are offered when looking into solutions for your school. Make sure the platform offers a way for parents and school administrators to communicate with families and access past conversations to ensure that there is no mixed messaging.

Invest in Professional Development

Educators play a pivotal role in the success of any data efficiency initiative. Providing comprehensive professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators, like those offered by FACTS Ed, is essential. Training should cover data literacy, interpretation, and effective use of data tools. Equipping educators with the skills to analyze and leverage data empowers them to make informed decisions that directly impact student outcomes.

Make Use of Reporting

Once you’ve invested in an efficient data management platform and gotten staff up to speed on the importance of great data, it’s time to make sure everyone can actually use it. Raw data can be overwhelming at times, but a good student information system will ensure that all your valuable information is translated into actionable reports. Make sure that your chosen platform includes strong reporting capabilities, especially for the types of information your school needs most. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about creating, managing, and editing reports while you’re considering what platform to invest in.

Regularly Review and Update Data Practices

The education landscape is dynamic, and so too should be the data practices within K-12 schools. Regularly review and update data management practices to align with evolving educational goals and priorities. This includes staying informed about advancements in data technology and cybersecurity. Make sure that the platform you’ve chosen to house your data is consistently tested and updated with the most stringent of security standards. While data efficiency is the goal, keeping your community’s most important information protected should never be neglected along the way.

Improving data efficiency in K-12 schools is a continuous journey that requires commitment, collaboration, and the right tools. At FACTS, we’re committed to helping schools find these tools and create processes that help schools become their best. To learn more about how our solutions are elevating the education experience, visit our website.

There’s a lot to keep in mind when trying to choose the best solutions for your school. From budget to implementation, it’s important to make sure that any tech platform you invest in is a good fit. One of the most important things to consider (and a factor that’s often overlooked) is the family experience. No matter how much time a product saves your school, if families have a terrible time using it, it’s not a good investment. In fact, forcing families to use frustrating, complicated software could even affect your school’s retention rates.

After decades of working with K-12 schools and families, we’re pretty familiar with common complaints that families have about school technology – and we’re sharing the wealth! Here are some of the top things to keep in mind from a family experience perspective when choosing technology for your school.

Don’t Waste Their Time

One of the fastest ways to get families frustrated is by forcing them to log in or fill out the same information over and over again, whether it’s because they’ve got multiple children enrolled at a school or because different platforms do not work together. It’s similarly frustrating to have tech that does not update with important information automatically, making parents wait for information or call schools directly. Fortunately, the right platform should greatly increase your school’s overall efficiency – both for your staff and your families.

Reach Them Where They Are

Let’s be honest: we’re all on our phones more than we care to admit. Chances are, your families will be engaging with your school directly from their mobile devices, meaning it’s crucial that all your most important platforms be mobile responsive. Many families do all of their most important tasks on their phones, including banking. Your school will greatly benefit from ensuring that parents are ably to easily perform actions and complete tasks through their phones, whether it’s uploading documents or checking their child’s grades. Want to go the extra mile? Consider a custom app for your school.

Keep Them Informed

Anyone that’s ever sent a note home in a student’s bookbag (or discovered it crushed up weeks later) knows that parent communication can sometimes be a challenge. We’re all busy, and communication often seems to be hitting us from every direction. The right school tech will help you cut through the noise, allowing you to easily reach families when you need to. Platforms like FACTS Student Information System offer multichannel communication options, with the ability to reach families via email, text alert, or even push notifications.

Don’t Confuse Them

While sometimes it can be hard to communicate with families at all, the opposite problem can exist too. Families often feel like they’re getting mixed messages from everyone associated with their child’s school, with teachers, students, and administrators all providing slightly different information. Luckily, good school management solutions can make these problems a thing of the past. The right student information system serves as a single source of truth for communications, eliminating mixed messaging and keeping communications uniform. Families will know exactly where to look for the final word on all school matters, and schools can rest assured that all their messaging is on brand.

Don’t Make Them Search for What They Need

As we mentioned earlier, the goal is always to save families time. Even if you’ve digitized every important piece of information for your school, if parents have to hunt it down within multiple different platforms, complaints are bound to start rolling in. Look for solutions that offer easy-to-navigate hubs with common sense design. You’d be amazed how happy parents will be if they’re able to pay their child’s sports fees, check their report cards, and scope out this week’s lunch menu all from the same home page.

Keep Their Important Information Safe

Families trust your school with incredibly sensitive information, like their banking details, contact information, and social security numbers. It’s your responsibility to ensure that this information stays safe. Any good tech solution for your school should prioritize safety and maintain strict data security standards. Make sure to do your homework and really investigate a company’s security standards before making any purchases.

Keep Their Specific Needs in Mind

All schools are different and have different needs. Your tech – and the resulting family experience – should reflect that. Look for software providers that don’t take a “one size fits all” approach to school management and are instead customizable with processes, applications, and features that make sense for your community. For example, FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment allows schools to customize application questions, formulas, and allocations in order to create unbiased, data-driven financial awards decisions based on the families their schools serve. Never settle for cookie cutter tools!

Make Sure They Have Support

Even with the best solutions in place, questions are bound to arise. Make sure families don’t feel like they’re on their own by selecting solutions with dedicated support. Whether it’s live chat with customer service agents or a dedicated phone number parents can call with questions, it’s crucial to let parents know they’ve got help every step of the way. The best case scenario, however, is that great software will play its own role in guiding families through processes, letting them know if they’re missing part of an application, notifying them of award status, and more.

Remember, happy families equal happy schools. While it’s important that your team love the school solutions you select, it’s just as (or even more) important that families like it. The right solution in place will not only keep families happy, but also directly benefit your team – less phone calls, improved retention, less meetings…the list goes on and on. Don’t run the risk of frustrating parents with terrible tech. This is one investment you’ll be glad you made!

With tools like a powerful SIS that brings all your school’s most important information into one convenient portal to an incredibly efficient application and enrollment tool, FACTS offers many solutions that improve the family experience. Learn more here.

In the digital age, data has become the backbone of decision-making and progress across various sectors, and education is no exception. As part of the edtech industry, the team at FACTS is constantly looking at how data can shape education and, most importantly, how we can use it to help schools and students. Whether you’ve got tons of data on hand that you don’t know what to do with or are looking for new solutions for your school to provide you with better data, here are some of the top ways that data – and great tools that provide great data – can benefit your school:

1. Personalized Learning

One of the most significant benefits of investing in data-driven solutions is the ability to tailor education to individual students. Every child is unique, and the right data can help to reveal their different strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. This allows teachers to adjust their teaching methods and materials accordingly, creating personalized learning plans that help students reach their full potential.

2. Assessment and Feedback

Effective assessment and feedback are essential for student development. Strong data leads to detailed assessment tools, many of which may be built directly into your tech solutions. With strong assessment tools in place, educators can evaluate student progress regularly and continuously provide feedback to support students in improving their understanding.

3. Student and Teacher Performance

While data is important to evaluating student performance, it can also be used for evaluating teachers’ strengths and weaknesses. Data on teacher performance can help identify areas for professional development like personalized teacher coaching in the areas that would most benefit them. For students, data gives them (and their families) a better understanding of their academic progress, showing how they’re improving over time and leading to improved motivation and engagement.

4. Resource Allocation

Schools often have limited resources, including budgets, time, and manpower. Data-driven software helps schools optimize the allocation of these resources. By analyzing data on student performance and the effectiveness of various programs, schools can determine which areas require more attention and resources. This ensures that resources are invested where they will have the greatest impact, ultimately benefiting the students.

5. Early Intervention

Early intervention is crucial in addressing academic and behavioral issues in students. With the help of data, schools can identify students who are struggling in various subjects or exhibiting behavioral concerns. Early detection allows educators to provide the necessary support, whether through counseling, instructional services, or other interventions to prevent issues from escalating.

6. Parental Involvement

Data-driven tools can be the key to increasing parental understanding and involvement in a child’s education. Invest in a solution that offers parents real-time information about their child’s performance, attendance, and behavior. This transparency promotes a strong partnership between parents and schools, ensuring that parents can actively support their child’s education and quickly address any issues that arise.

7. Accountability and Transparency

In today’s educational landscape, accountability and transparency are paramount. Schools are accountable to students, parents, and communities for their performance. Data-driven solutions allow for the collection and presentation of data on student achievement, graduation rates, attendance, and more. This information can be made available to the public, fostering transparency and trust in the school.

8. Long-Term Planning

Effective long-term planning is essential for the success of K-12 schools. Data helps schools forecast future enrollment, plan for the allocation of resources, and identify trends and challenges. By making data-informed decisions, schools can set clear, achievable goals and develop strategies to meet them.

Investing in data-driven solutions is no longer a luxury for K-12 schools. In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, it’s a necessity. Schools that embrace data-driven decision-making are better equipped to tackle the challenges of the future and provide exceptional educational experiences to their students. To see practical applications of how data is shaping school solutions, explore the FACTS product suite.

After decades of working with K-12 schools, the FACTS team knows how difficult making financial award decisions can be for schools. After all, we all have the same goal: making sure that students receive the best possible education. That’s why we developed FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, which helps schools to make unbiased, data-driven financial aid decisions through a carefully developed formula.

This solution is full of incredible features that benefit both schools and families. While we’re especially proud of how Grant & Aid Assessment can be personalized for your school’s specific needs, with customizable application questions, formulas, and allocations, there are so many other features to explore! Here are some of the features you may not know about:

Internal Tracking Fields

• Customizable to track school-specific processes, applicant or student information, and notes
• Edit on an individual application, in mass in reports, or import an external spreadsheet that already has the internal tracking field data
• Data can roll over year over year or be cleared out at the end of the awarding year to make room for next year’s data

Award Notifications Customization

• Customize messaging with smart tags that fill in pertinent data such as term, names, award amounts, and net tuition – no manual award emails needed
• Configure multiple messages to specify based on types of funding student received
• Display individual funding received along with total award for a full picture of their financial aid packet

Custom Reporting

• Customize reporting for reviewing applications during awarding season to show the fields that are most important for your school to make equitable awards
• Hundreds of fields available including application questions, assessment fields, tax return amounts, prior year information, calculated fields such as state program eligibility, split household information, and internal tracking fields
• Easily mass edit internal tracking fields or institution adjustments

Emails Direct from System

• Send reminders and updates to families to submit their documentation, finish their application, or login to see their award

Student ID Matching

• Simply import files to have FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment reflect your school’s student ID, creating consistent student IDs across platforms and making it easy to import information from another system into Grant & Aid internal tracking fields

Award in System

• Automate eligibility and awarding decisions, while still having complete control over manual and individual awards
• Award individually, in mass in reporting, or import award decisions

Multiple Layers of Security

• Give staff and committee the level of access they need
• Includes read only and non-PII settings to allow for unbiased evaluation and decisions

Want to know even more? FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment also offers no cost business reviews, seamless integration with FACTS Tuition Management, and is – of course – backed by FACTS’ industry-best customer service.

If you’re ready to upgrade the way your school handles financial aid, it’s time to talk to the FACTS team about the difference FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment can make. Get started here!

For some of you, the 2024-2025 year has already started. For others, it’s coming up in just a few short months! To help set yourself up for a successful year, we recommend reviewing your Grant & Aid setup before the business of admissions season really hits. Here’s how to get started.

Update Deadlines

Be sure our Grant & Aid landing page, your website, and communications all accurately reflect deadlines and any process changes.  Let your account manager know about your different deadlines so that we can have those recorded for our teams taking your families’ calls.

Application Questions

To review your current application, go to Grant & Aid >> Term Setup >> Form Preview. Ask yourself some of these questions:

• Are there questions asked on your application that you never review that you could get rid of?
• Do you need to rephrase or eliminate custom pandemic related questions?
• Are there things that you are following up consistently with applicants for that you could ask on your application?
• Are there questions that could be tucked under a conditional question to shorten your application?

Email your account manager to request any changes to your application.

Supplemental Documents

Supplemental Documents allow you to collect and review documents outside of the tax documents that FACTS processes. For those with supplemental documents, review to ensure you still want to collect those documents and consider adding help text if your parents have previously had questions on the documents. For those not using this feature – are there documents you are collecting from parents that you could add to the application process? Email your account manager to request changes to supplemental documents.

Internal Tracking Fields

Once your 2024-2025 term has been created, remove any internal tracking fields you won’t be using.   For any fields that you want the data to roll over from last year, be sure to go in and select “enable term-to-term data rollover” before applications are submitted.  After the first year selecting the rollover setting, you will not have to go back in each year, unless you want to stop the data rollover.

You can set up and edit internal tracking fields by going to Grant & Aid >> Term Setup >> Internal Tracking (under Data Management heading).

Custom Reports

First, get rid of any custom reports you no longer use so that you have less noise during the year. Then, think about data points that you are consistently reviewing, adjusting in the formula, or marking internal tracking fields for that could be done in mass. Consider ways that you could automate processes within a custom report and get those built.

Grant Management – Funds & Fund Eligibility

Have you been leveraging the eligibility criteria to help funnel students into the appropriate buckets or fund? Review that for accuracy and evaluate if there are additional criteria that could help automate your awarding processes, for example an internal tracking field that you mark for a customized status that indicates if they are ready for awarding. If you aren’t using Grant Management, now is a great time to go in and enter (or import!) your 23-24 awards so that you can use prior year awarding information in 24-25. For a training on how to use Grant Management, check out this recorded webinar: https:/bit.ly/FGAAGM

Returning Families

Returning families sometimes need to be reminded (and re-reminded) to submit their application the next year. If deadlines differ from new families, make sure that this is communicated clearly, especially for families in their first year as returning families. To help automate this, set up a student-based report in the 23-24 year in the applications area and add the field “has applied to new term.”  This field gives a yes/no on whether you have an application in the 24-25 term for that student.  Then filter down to the “no,” select all, and email reminders for families to apply.

With tips like these and the right team in place, we’re confident you’ll be ready to tackle the 2024-2025 financial aid application year with ease!

Whether you’re trying to keep parents up to date on everything happening on campus, attract prospective families, or engage your school community, good communication is crucial for any school looking to reach new goals. With 347.3 billion emails sent and received every day, cutting through the noise and getting the right message to the right people at the right time can be challenging. Here are some of our top tips for upgrading your school communication and making sure your message is heard.

Reach Families Where They Are

Be honest – the first thing you do in the morning is likely reach for your phone. People are on their phones more than ever, with over 56% of all web traffic coming through mobile phones as of July 2023. It makes sense then that your best chance of reaching your target audience is by prioritizing mobile communication. While your families might not always be at their computers, they’re always on their phones, whether they’re at work, the gym, or even the airport.

With dedicated school apps like FACTS Family App, you can send push notifications directly to your families’ phones with important information. Early dismissal? Special dress code for Spirit Day? Give families quick reminders that they won’t need to search through their inboxes to find. Apps serve as one-stop-shop for users, too, so parents can check report cards, attendance, and more while waiting in line at the grocery store or DMV – all without touching a computer.

Become of a Part of Families’ Daily Routines

When you check your phone first thing in the morning, you probably run through a list of things to check. From the weather app to your banking app, you’ve got a routine in place that you follow every day. One of the best ways to communicate with your families is to become a part of that routine, which can be simpler than you think with the right tech. With FACTS Family App, users can subscribe to your school’s calendar feed and sync it to their own personal calendars, fully integrating your school’s messages into their daily routines.

Once synced up with a personal family calendar, parents will be able to quickly see when sports practices or school plays are occurring, ensuring that no important event is ever missed. Families can even personalize and color code their calendars for different students to stay even more organized. This is another great way to reach families in places they already are and deliver your message without adding an additional step to an already busy schedule.

Use Data to Focus Your Efforts

We know that regardless of what role you serve in your school, you likely wear quite a few hats. You’re busy, and repeating information over and over can take up way too much of your time. Save time and minimize frustrations by utilizing data to see where to concentrate your school’s communications. The FACTS Family App provides detailed data about where users are spending their time on the app and what content they’re engaging most with.

Having insights on user behavior is a powerful tool because it lets you see exactly where your most important information is most likely to be seen. When you need a message to be heard, you’ll know exactly where to put it in the future. Data like this can also be helpful to understand what areas of your app aren’t being used to their full potential or what areas need further development or updated content.

Keep Community Engagement Simple

School communities aren’t only made up of students, staff, and parents – but it might be a little more difficult to reach people that aren’t in these groups. Many schools are lucky to have very engaged communities that attend school fairs, plays, and sporting events, and keeping them informed of what’s going on is important, too. The same goes for alumni, who often want to engage with their former schools but aren’t sure how to get started.

Tech to the rescue again! With FACTS Family App, you can easily build forms through a simple drag and drop process that can then be posted across the social channels your school community and alumni already follow. Instead of having to sort through their email for info or look through your website, people can share links with their families and friends to buy tickets to the school play or even sign up for an alumni newsletter. A fun bonus? These quick forms can give you valuable contact information that will come in handy for future fundraising.

Tailor Different Platforms for Different Audiences

One of the most important forms of communication schools engage in every day is with prospective families. While there are tons of ways that schools make these connections, one of the first ways that prospects receive communication from your school is through your website. Websites should be created with prospective families in mind, not your current families. This is your first chance to make a great impression on new families, and it’s crucial that your most important points are immediately conveyed.

When thinking of how to approach this communication, simplicity is always key. Prospective families need to be able to easily see how to make an inquiry or set up a meeting with a member of the school. People spend an average of 53 seconds on a website and aren’t afraid to log off even quicker if finding the information they need is frustrating. Make sure your most important information is easy to find, as well as up to date. With tools like FACTS School Site, schools can easily build and update their sites on their own, even without development experience.

We hope these tips have been helpful in thinking about the right communication strategy for your school and what tools can help make it possible. Now it’s time to put your plan into action!

As summer vacation comes to a close, students and educators across the country prepare to head back to the classroom. While many students are looking forward to seeing their friends and teachers again, there’s one thing that can dull the excitement of a new school year – summer learning loss.

Extended summer breaks can lead to a decline in academic progress, creating frustrations for both teachers and students when it comes to lessons building on what students should already be familiar with. The good news is that there are ways to work through summer learning loss efficiently and effectively, and even prevent it before it happens! Here are some of our top tips.

Make Use of Diagnostic Assessments

Before educators can do anything to combat learning loss, it’s crucial to know what students are affected. Diagnostic assessments help to gauge students’ learning levels and provide insights into the specific area where learning loss has occurred. This can help teachers to not only provide appropriate students with targeted, early intervention, but also to see exactly what subject areas they should be focusing on.

Keep Learning Over the Summer

Of course, the simplest way to address summer learning loss is to prevent it from happening altogether. Summer programs like those offered by FACTS Ed can be customizable, fun, and make use of innovative teaching methods that may not be possible during the normal school year. This is the perfect time to get students involved in hands-on activities and interactive projects that will help them retain knowledge well into the new academic year.

Create Personalized Learning Plans

Based on diagnostic assessments, schools can develop personalized learning plans for each student suffering from learning loss. These plans should include targeted interventions, additional support, and appropriate academic challenges. While this may seem daunting, third parties like FACTS Ed can help schools develop tailored plans with small group and intensive instruction from experienced classroom teachers.

Get Parents Involved

Parents are essential partners in supporting their children’s educations. Schools can facilitate parental involvement in many ways, from sending home regular progress reports to organizing parent-teacher conferences and sharing strategies for learning at home. FACTS Ed can help your school develop special parent and family engagement events where students can learn hands-on alongside their parents, fostering an atmosphere that shows learning is just as important at home as in the classroom.

Make Sure Teachers are Prepared

Teachers are the first line of defense in identifying and treating summer learning loss. Professional development is crucial for educators to recognize the signs of learning loss in students and feel confident addressing them. With professional development, schools can equip teachers with these important strategies and help them introduce students to new methodologies that can create a lifelong love for learning. Some educators may also benefit from personalized, customizable coaching.

Don’t Forget Social-Emotional Learning

Learning loss can really take a toll on students’ confidence. While making sure students are performing well academically is important, it’s also crucial to prioritize social-emotional learning (SEL) to help students cope with the challenges they may face during their return to school. SEL programs can create a positive, support atmosphere the promotes resilience and a growth mindset.

While no educator or students wants to return from summer break to learning loss, there’s no need to panic if it happens. By implementing some of the steps listed above and partnering with an organization like FACTS Ed, it’s possible to bridge the learning gap and ensure a successful academic journey for all students.

Elevate 2023 sure was magic! Last week, FACTS hosted our 12^th Elevate conference at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts in Orlando, Florida. This was our largest Elevate conference so far, with nearly 1600 attendees from FACTS schools across the country gathering to attend thought leadership and training sessions, network, and have some fun!

Inspired by our special setting, this year’s theme was The Magic Starts Here. This not only hints at the magic of our Walt Disney World location – which many attendees took advantage of with discounted twilight theme park tickets – but also at what we hope Elevate is for our attendees. We want Elevate to be a place where they can get inspired, grow the spark of magic they already have, and create incredible stories for their schools.

Sessions, Sessions, and More Sessions

This year, we hosted over 250 thought leadership and training sessions from industry leaders and FACTS experts. Perfect for both new and experienced FACTS users, attendees were able to select classes based on specific tracks that laid out sessions of special interest for Marketing, Enrollment, Financial Aid, and more. Our Whova app made scheduling simple, and classes filled up quickly.

We were especially excited to host sessions from our first annual FACTS Teacher Innovation Awards winners. The five recipients led sessions throughout the conference, presenting on their winning projects and inspiring their fellow educators with the ways they’re making a difference in their schools through innovation. Winners also attended a special lunch with FACTS leadership and were acknowledged onstage during our Wednesday keynote.

Returning Favorites

Feedback is incredibly important in the Elevate planning process, so we made sure to bring back fan favorites! This meant hosting our popular Preconference Workshops for a second year. Offered the first day of the conference, these in-depth hands-on workshops are perfect for beginners and offer a deep dive into specific FACTS products. Additionally, we brought back our Expert Bar, where attendees can meet one-on-one with FACTS product experts and get personalized advice on the best way to tackle their school’s challenges through technology.

While our Exhibition Hall returned this year as well, it was bigger than ever before! We were proud to host 30 sponsors and exhibitors at Elevate 2023, with booths located right beside the main breakfast area to encourage attendees to stop and chat with each vendor. We even hosted an Exhibitor Passport contest through Whova, where at the end of the week, all attendees that got their badges scanned at every exhibitor booth was automatically entered to win AirPods Pro! Our five lucky winners were chosen the last day of the conference and were excited to go home with such a great prize.

Noteworthy Keynotes

This year’s keynote speaker was the inspiring George Couros. Kicking us off Tuesday morning, he set a great tone for the week, reminding attendees of the true meaning of education and that no matter how many negatives there seem to be, we can always drown them out with positives and stay focused on our mission.

On Wednesday, FACTS President Scott Spethman and Managing Director of Product Jeremy Penner took to the stage to share some of FACTS’ most recent accomplishments, important product updates, and what’s next in our story. This main stage session was capped off with an appearance from Courtney Haindel, Product Marketing Manager and our resident FACTS^SPACE expert, who introduced the top FACTS^SPACE users and helped “launch” FACTS^SPACE shirts into the crowd.

An Enchanted Evening

While we always host an evening reception for attendees, this year’s was even more special. Our Tuesday night reception was full of delicious food, drinks, and engaging extras like a 360-degree photo booth, but nothing tops the appearances from some Disney VIPs – Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Attendees lined up for pictures with their favorite characters as they networked and enjoyed special Disney snacks like Mickey ice cream bars. We even offered special Elevate 3D glasses, which made lights show the FACTS logo, and could be used for firework displays the rest of the week in Disney.

New This Year

One final way that we brought the Disney magic into Elevate was through our new scavenger hunt! Owlie’s Magical Mission encouraged attendees to search for 15 versions of our mascot, Owlie, hidden throughout the conference space. Once completing their map and returning to Guest Services, attendees would receive their very own Owlie plushie. It was great to see lots of attendees getting their children and families involved in this activity, as well as hearing from others that they’d love to bring the idea back to their schools. We’re excited to keep this new tradition going!

Elevate 2023 was also home to the first in-person meeting of the Analytics Advisory Board. Comprised of school and diocesan contacts that are advancing analytics in their organizations, this group helps to drive the direction of analytics at FACTS as we develop FACTS Data Insights. The meeting at Elevate focused on dashboards, sparking great discussions and providing the FACTS team with tangible feedback that we can use to continue to refine the dashboards we are creating.

Overall, Elevate 2023 was a huge success, and we’re so grateful to everyone that helped create such a special event. With client feedback, we look forward to improving this conference every year and can’t wait to do it again in Atlanta in 2024. We hope to see you there!

In any school, at any time, hundreds of moving parts come together to create a successful day of learning. One important element? School lunches! After all, it’s hard to get any learning done on an empty stomach. While students may just get to sit down and eat when their lunch period comes around, school administrators know that much more goes into crafting smooth mealtimes than just buying ingredients.

The good news is that FACTS Student Information System (SIS) can help make lunch time simpler, especially with the Cafeteria Calendar Recurrence Scheduler. Keep reading for more information on this convenient feature and how it can help you save time while planning great meal for your students.

What Does It Do?

The Cafeteria Calendar Recurrence Scheduler allows you to quickly schedule cafeteria items that are served or offered on a recurring basis. You’re able to customize the scheduler to the exact specifications needed for your school, whether it’s for items offered on certain days of the week, or the foods offered every single day. Additional benefits of the Cafeteria Calendar Recurrence Scheduler include:

• The ability to ignore days marked as No School Days to limit manual corrections
• The choice to set items to repeat on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis
• The ability to set an end date for when to stop the recurrence items from being rescheduled (for a specific date or at end of year/term)

Who Should Use It?

The Cafeteria Calendar Recurrence Scheduler can be used by virtually all schools. If your school offers the same items every day, such as a milk, water, snacks, or a salad bar, creating a recurrence will safe you hours of administrative work throughout the course of the school year. Once you’ve created a daily recurrence for these items, it’s simple to go in and modify the schedule for any specific days when the entrée is unique.

This tool is also especially helpful for schools that utilize outside vendors or caterers with consistent schedules. If your school has “Pizza Fridays” or “Taco Tuesdays” where outside food is brought in for students, Cafeteria Calendar Recurrence Scheduler can eliminate any extra paperwork you’re currently dealing with. Utilize the scheduler to schedule menu items from each vendor on their designated day of the week and set it to repeat weekly until the selected end date.

We hope this helps you create mealtimes both staff and students can enjoy. For more information on getting started with the Cafeteria Calendar Recurrence Scheduler, please see our HubHelp guide. Bon Appetit!

With the arrival of summer, chances are you’re already in the midst of planning exciting family road trips and sun-soaked afternoons filled with bike rides, swimming, and ice cream cones topped with sprinkles. While summer is definitely a season for fun and relaxation, it’s equally crucial to keep your child’s brain active, even during those off-school months.

You might be familiar with the “summer slide” (or “summer brain drain”), but are you familiar with the research that backs it up? In a study from Duke University, it turns out that when students go back to school in the fall, they’ve actually lost about one to three months’ worth of learning, with math being the subject that suffers the most.

In honor of June being both World Productivity and Brain Awareness Month, we thought we’d share a brain-boosting summer blueprint to keep kids out of a summer slump. Here are 5 fun ways to keep your child’s brain engaged all season long.

 

1. Establish a routine family game night

Pick one evening every week for some quality time together, engaging in board games with the entire family. This activity not only promotes bonding but also reinforces essential skills. Games like CandyLand and Chutes & Ladders offer young children a playful way to learn fundamental skills like counting, color recognition, and taking turns. As kids grow older, more advanced games like Scrabble and Monopoly open doors to valuable learning opportunities. These games foster language skills, strategic thinking, and social interaction, making them both enjoyable and educational.

2. Embark on a read-a-thon challenge

Create a summer reading list and set aside a dedicated family reading time, where everyone in the family can delve into their favorite books. Ask your child to pick their favorite passages and read them aloud to you. Afterward, take turns discussing and sharing insights about the captivating stories you’ve all explored.

3. Put their memory skills to the test

Engage your child in an exciting challenge of memorization by encouraging them to commit a beloved song or story to memory. Alternatively, foster teamwork by organizing a group of kids to put on an entertaining short play, showcasing their memorization prowess.

4. Plan and cook a meal together

Cooking and baking are great ways to include math, science, and reading into a family activity. Whether your child helps you find the perfect recipe, measure ingredients, or read instructions, you’ll be boosting major brain skills in the kitchen.

5. Take them on a nature adventure

Exploring the outdoors gives children new objects to play with and exciting forms of the natural world to discover and marvel at. The outdoors also provides space for physical play that’s not only essential to children’s motor development but adults’ physical and mental health as well, making it a great activity to do together as a family.

Go for a walk in a park or nearby nature trail, counting or naming insects, birds, trees, or rocks. Take a bike ride with the goal of finding certain numbers or letters on signs. Plan your route using a map and if appropriate, kids can calculate distance and speed or simply time segments of the trip.