Simplifying Service Transitions Through Thoughtful Planning and Commitment
In Community High School District 99, Illinois, the Assistant Superintendent for Learned Resources, McGuire, and his team embarked on a significant journey to implement a new student information system (SIS). The process was a balancing act, requiring a structured, strategic approach that emphasised effective time management, thorough vetting of service providers, and inclusive decision-making.
The key to deciding whether to change systems lies in determining if the current system meets the needs of the institution. McGuire explains, "Knowing what you are looking to accomplish before meeting with vendors is important." This approach allows for a rigorous provider evaluation, focusing on integration capabilities with existing technology infrastructure, track records with similar institutions, and the robustness of their support and training programs.
Building a lasting relationship with trust as a cornerstone is important when choosing a vendor. McGuire emphasises, "A good relationship with a vendor should be built on a shared path towards the same goals." In the case of Community High School District 99, Infinite Campus made it to the second round of demos, allowing McGuire's team to delve into the functionality, operations, and overall flow of the platform. During this phase, Infinite Campus answered direct questions from educators who would be using the platform, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared understanding.
Effective time management through phased rollout, rigorous provider evaluation, and inclusive decision-making involving representative users are the pillars of success for SIS transitions. The process begins with a comprehensive needs assessment and goal setting, aligning the SIS with strategic goals. This foundation supports selecting a system that meaningfully addresses the institution’s unique challenges.
Strategic time management and phased implementation follow, using a phased rollout approach to manage complexity and timeline. The approach starts with pilot testing in a limited scope, followed by campus-wide training and expansion, and ultimately scaling optimization efforts. This allows for incremental improvements and early troubleshooting, reducing risk.
Change management and training are crucial components of the transition process. Investing in comprehensive training programs, clear communication about system benefits, and ongoing user support promote adoption and minimise resistance.
McGuire suggests having a full year for data migration and training before full implementation, if possible, to ensure a smooth transition. This approach acknowledges that there will be time-intensive moments and anxiety when implementing a new system, so being cognizant of these factors is important.
In summary, the successful implementation of a new SIS in Community High School District 99 is a testament to McGuire's strategic approach, emphasising effective time management, rigorous provider evaluation, and inclusive decision-making. The return on investment in implementing a new system should push the district to the next level, and McGuire's recent recognition as Most Innovative Superintendent at a Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit with an Innovative Leader Award is a testament to his forward-thinking leadership.
- McGuire's team in Community High School District 99 decided to change systems based on whether the current system met the institution's needs, focusing on integration with existing technology, a provider's track record, and the quality of their support and training programs.
- Effective communication about the benefits of the new system, comprehensive training programs, and ongoing user support promote adoption and minimize resistance during SIS transitions.
- Infinite Campus was chosen as the vendor after answering educators' questions, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared understanding during the second round of demos.
- The strategic approach to implementing a new student information system in Community High School District 99 emphasizes time management, rigorous provider evaluation, and inclusive decision-making, with a comprehensive needs assessment and goal-setting process forming the foundation.
