New computer system allows parents to check on students' progress

MAT-SU -- Parents are starting to receive training on how to use the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District's new online computer system, I-Parent, which will be used districtwide starting this fall.

"We're excited about bringing this opportunity to our parents. It is another communication piece for parents and teachers," said Ray DePriest, an education technician at the district.

I-Parent is an online program that allows parents to check their child's grades, schedules, assignments, absences and tardies with just a click of a couple computer keys. The access is part of the district's new districtwide computer system, Maximus, which some schools are already using, and all schools will be using by fall. Academy Charter School is one of the first schools to test the I-Parent program. Ten parents began corresponding with the teachers via the secure Web site in February. Last week 60 more parents learned how to access the I-Parent Web site; two parents from each school are using the program this spring to help work out any bugs that may arise. The district will hold more training sessions later this year, so that all parents can receive their online access code and password to begin using the system.

"Some parents won't need any assistance at all," said Marie Burton, the director of MIS. "If they do need help we are there for them."

Teachers will update the Web site on an ongoing basis, listing assignments as they are assigned and also keeping track of attendance. Middle school and high school attendance will be posted during each period, and parents can opt to have an e-mail automatically sent if their child is marked absent for any period or day. The program is family based, meaning that parents can view all of their school-attending children's records while only logging on once. Teachers can use the program to explain assignments to parents, and parents will be able to contact their children's teachers via e-mail if questions arise.

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.