Beginning in October, Infinite Campus will work with LEAs to work toward the implementation of the student information system (SIS). This is one of several pieces included in BRIDGE, the state's K-12 data modernization solution.
To ensure a smooth transition to the new SIS, the Infinite Campus implementation team has outlined several critical preparations, or "extra credit" opportunities. Below are some actionable steps to get ahead and ensure seamless data migration:
Extra Credit 1: Clean Up Your Existing Data in PowerSchool
Before diving into Infinite Campus, it’s vital to ensure your data is clean and consistent. Here’s what to focus on:
Addresses: Review for consistency in abbreviations (e.g., "St." vs "Street") and spelling (e.g., "Blvd" vs "Boulevard"). Ensure that address data is correctly placed (e.g., apartment numbers should only appear in Address 2). Remove any duplicate addresses.
Guardianship Information: Verify each student has a designated guardian or a system to identify who the guardian is in the future.
Contact Information: Make sure each student has an assigned contact and that all sibling information matches, particularly for students living at the same address.
Special Character Removal: Eliminate any special characters or system-generated prefixes (like asterisks) from names and other fields. For items that need categorization, consider using additional identifiers to clarify their context.
Extra Credit 2: Inventory Your Existing Reports
Take stock of the reports you currently use in PowerSchool and identify which ones are needed in Infinite Campus. Comparing your current reports with those available in Infinite Campus will help ensure that you’re prepared to create and utilize the new reporting features in the system. Training on how to generate custom reports will be available once the system is live.
Extra Credit 3: Inventory Third-Party Vendors
It’s important to inventory your current third-party vendors that will integrate with Infinite Campus. For each vendor, ensure you have:
A list of administrators and their contact details
Logins (username and passwords) for vendor portals
Information on any data exchanges (import/export) between your current systems and vendors
This inventory will help the implementation team configure integrations and streamline the setup process, reducing the time spent later.
By completing these tasks, you’ll be well-prepared for the implementation of Infinite Campus SIS and aligned with the goals of BRIDGE. This preparation will help ensure a smooth transition, supporting the long-term objectives to improve data quality, streamline reporting, and drive better outcomes for students across North Dakota.