School Setup
Introduction
The following data elements are required for school setup.
Start Page > School Setup.
On the Start Page, click the School link.
Choose a school from the pop-up menu.
Click School.
Note: For more information on code values, see the Appendix.
Data Element | Additional Information | [Table]Field Name | Length | Used in these Reports |
Entering Attendance CodesAttendance Codes | ||||
Code | Enter the attendance code. | [Attendance_Code]Att_Code | N/A | PA State Audit Report Student Calendar Fact Template |
Description | Enter the attendance code description. | [Attendance_Code]Description | N/A | Required Setup |
Presence Status | Select Present or Absent as the presence status. | [Attendance_Code]Presence_Status_CD | N/A | PA State Audit Report |
Points | Enter the number of points associated with the attendance code – can be used to withhold credit when awarding grades. | [Attendance_Code]Course_Credit_Points | N/A | Optional Setup |
Teacher can assign | Choose Yes or No from the pop-up menu to determine whether the teacher can assign the attendance code. | [Attendance_Code]Assignment_Filter_YN | N/A | Recommended Setup |
Earns ADA credit | Select whether the attendance code affects attendance calculation. | [Attendance_Code]Calculate_ADA_YN | N/A | PA State Audit Report Student Calendar Fact Template |
Counts toward membership | Select whether the attendance code affects membership calculation. | [Attendance_Code]Calculate_ADM_YN | N/A | PA State Audit Report Student Calendar Fact TemplaDef |
Defining Attendance Code CategoriesAttendance Code Categories > Edit/New Attendance Code Category Attendance code categories are associated with a specific school, but not a specific school year; i.e. they are copied from year to year. Three attendance code categories are included with PowerSchool by default (Excused, Tardy, Unexcused). Set up one additional attendance code categories to track unlawful absences a using Attendance Tracking and Notification. | ||||
Code | Enter the attendance code category abbreviation. Example- Unlawful | [Code_Entity]CE_Code | N/A | Refresh Attendance Tracking Data Location Fact Location Fact Detail |
Name | Enter the name of the attendance code category. Example-Unlawful | [Code_Entity]External_Name | N/A | Refresh Attendance Tracking Data Location Fact Location Fact Detail |
Description | Enter a description for the attendance code category. Example- Unlawful Absences | [Code_Entity]Description | N/A | Required Setup |
Sort Order | Choose the sort order from the pop-up menu to determine where the attendance code category displays on the page. | [Code_Entity]SortOrder | N/A | Required Setup |
Defining Attendance Conversions | ||||
Updating Attendance ConversionAttendance Conversions > New/Edit > Attendance Conversion | ||||
Name | Enter the attendance conversion name. | [Attendance_Conversion]Name | N/A | PA State Audit Report Student Calendar Fact Template |
Defining Period-To-Day Attendance ConversionAttendance Conversions > (NONE)/Defined > Period-To-Day Attendance Conversion | ||||
Day Attendance Value | Enter the day attendance value for the period-to-day attendance conversion for the FTE. | [Attendance_Conversion_Items] Conversion_Mode_Code=periodday [Attendance_Conversion_Items]Attendance_Value | N/A | Required for schools using period/meeting attendance |
Defining Code-To-Day Attendance ConversionAttendance Conversions > (NONE)/Defined > Code-To-Day Attendance Conversion | ||||
Code | The code for the code-to-day attendance conversion for the FTE. | [Attendance_Conversion_Items] Conversion_Mode_Code=codeday [Attendance_Conversion_Items]Input_Value Note: The value in the Input_Value field is the ID of an attendance code in the [Attendance_Code] table. | N/A | Required for schools using daily attendance |
Day Attendance Value | Enter the day attendance value for the code-to-day attendance conversion for the FTE. | [Attendance_Conversion_Items] Conversion_Mode_Code=codeday [Attendance_Conversion_Items]Attendance_Value | N/A | Required for schools using daily attendance |
Defining Attendance Tracking and Notification | ||||
Defining Attendance ModeAttendance Tracking and Notification > Attendance Mode Setup Only one tracking mode may be defined at a time. | ||||
Attendance Mode Value | Choose the attendance mode used as the default for your school:
Note: If unsure of the default attendance mode at the school >Go To > School Setup > Full Time Equivalences (FTE) and make a note of the default attendance mode. | [Gen]Value=MPTD, MTTD, DCTD, or DTTD [Gen]Name=UEAT_Mode [Gen]Cat=Unexcused | N/A | Location Fact Template Location Fact Detail Report |
Setting Up Unexcused Absence TrackingAttendance Tracking and Notification > Unexcused Tracking Setup | ||||
Tracking Category | The Tracking Category displays Unexcused this field is read only. | N/A | N/A | Location Fact Template Location Fact Detail Report |
Attendance Category | Choose the attendance code category used to track unexcused absences from the pop-up menu. Example Unlawful Attendance code categories can only be used once, so the menu displays all attendance code categories set up for your school, except those already associated. A separate attendance code category should be set up for tracking unexcused absences using Attendance Tracking and Notification. | [Gen]Value [Gen]Name=UEAT_Category [Gen]Cat=Unexcused | N/A | Location Fact Template Location Fact Detail Report |
Status | Choose Absent as the status. | [Gen]Value2=Absent [Gen]Name=UEAT_Category [Gen]Cat=Unexcused | N/A | Location Fact Template Location Fact Detail Report |
Entering Full-Time EquivalenciesFull-Time Equivalencies (FTE) | ||||
Name | Enter the FTE name. | [FTE]Name | N/A | State Audit Report PA_PDE-4014_K-12 PA_PDE-4002_K-12 PA_PDE-4002_AVTS PA_PDE-4062_K-12 PA_PDE-4062_AVTS PA_PDE-4062_IU |
Default Attendance Mode | Choose the default attendance mode for the FTE from the pop-up menu. | [FTE]Dflt_Att_Mode_Code | N/A | Required Setup |
Default Attendance Conversion | Choose the default attendance conversion for the FTE from the pop-up menu. | [FTE]Dflt_Conversion_Mode_Code | N/A | Required Setup |
Setting Attendance Preferences(Attendance) Preferences | ||||
Attendance Recording Methods | Select the checkboxes for the attendance recording methods used for this school. | [Prefs]Name=ATT_RecordModeMeeting [Prefs]Value [Prefs]Name=ATT_RecordModeDaily [Prefs]Value | N/A | State Audit Report PA_PDE-4014_K-12 PA_PDE-4002_K-12 PA_PDE-4002_AVTS PA_PDE-4062_K-12 PA_PDE-4062_AVTS PA_PDE-4062_IU |
Count these codes for period conversion | Choose Absences or Presents from the count these codes for period conversion pop-up menu. Note: This option determines whether to count present or absent codes for period-to-day attendance conversions. | [Prefs]Name=ATT_CalcCntPresentsAbsences [Prefs]Value | N/A | State Audit Report PA_PDE-4014_K-12 PA_PDE-4002_K-12 PA_PDE-4002_AVTS PA_PDE-4062_K-12 PA_PDE-4062_AVTS PA_PDE-4062_IU |
Entering Bell SchedulesBell Schedules > Edit/New Bell Schedule | ||||
Name | Enter the bell schedule name. | [Bell_Schedule]Name | N/A | Required Setup |
Attendance Conversion Method | Choose the attendance conversion method for the bell schedule from the pop-up menu. | [Bell_Schedule]Attendance_Conversion_ID | N/A | Required Setup |
Editing Bell Schedule ItemBell Schedules > Edit Schedule > Edit Bell Schedule Item | ||||
Period | Choose the period associated with the bell schedule item from the pop-up menu. | N/A | Required Setup | |
Start time | Enter the start time of the bell schedule item. | N/A | Required Setup | |
End time | Enter the end time of the bell schedule item. Note: Bell schedule items/period times must not overlap in the bell schedule. | N/A | Required Setup | |
Counts for ADA | Select the checkbox to include attendance recorded for the bell schedule item in attendance calculations. | N/A | Required Setup | |
Use for Daily Attendance | Select the checkbox if the bell schedule item is used to record daily attendance. | N/A | Required for daily attendance | |
Default Time In | If the bell schedule item is used for Daily attendance, enter the default start time of the school day. | N/A | Required for daily attendance | |
Default Time Out | If the bell schedule item is used for Daily attendance, enter the default end time of the school day. | N/A | Required for daily attendance | |
Setting Up the School CalendarCalendar Setup | ||||
Date | The date is view-only on this page. The days included in the calendar are determined by the start date and end date of current school year. | [Calendar_Day]Date | N/A | Not Applicable |
Day | Choose the appropriate cycle day from the pop-up menu. | [Calendar_Day]Cycle_Day_ID | N/A | Required Setup |
Schedule | Choose the appropriate bell schedule from the pop-up menu. | [Calendar_Day]Bell_Schedule_ID | N/A | Required Setup |
Tracks | Check the appropriate tracks. | [Calendar_Day]A, B, C, D, E, F | N/A | Required Setup |
In Sess | Check the checkbox to count the calendar day in attendance calculation. | [Calendar_Day]InSession | N/A | Required Setup State Audit Report |
Memb Value | Enter the membership value for the calendar day to use when calculating membership. Note: The value is normally 1 for each day. | [Calendar_Day]MembershipValue | N/A | Required Setup |
Calendar Setup - Name of School Year | Assign days to membership types and schedules. For more information, see PowerSchool Help. | [Calendar_Day] | N/A | Required Setup |
Entering Sections InformationSections Sections > [select course] > [select section] > Edit Section The Course Instructor Template extracts teacher data via the [Sections] table and custom fields in the sections table. The Staff Student Subtest Template extracts data from the [SectionsTeacher] table. Data is pulled from the Allocation, End Date, Start Date, and Teacher ID. | ||||
Course Number | Enter the course number. | [Sections]Course_Number | 2 | Course Instructor Template Staff Student Course Template |
Term | Choose the term for the section from the pop-up menu. | [Sections]TermID | N/A | Required Setup |
Schedule | Select the meeting schedule for the section | [Sections]Expressions [Section_Meeting]SectionID = [Sections]ID | N/A | Required Setup |
Teacher-Section Lead | Click Add and choose the primary teacher for the section from the pop-up menu. | [Sections]Teacher | 20 | Course Instructor Template |
Teacher-Section Lead | Click add and choose the primary teacher for the section from the pop-up menu | [SectionTeacher]TeacherID The internal identification number of the teacher in the associated SchoolStaff Record | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
% Allocation | The percentage allocation this teacher has for this section. | [SectionTeacher]Allocation | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Start Date | The start date of the association of this teacher to this section. | [SectionTeacher]Start_Date | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
End Date | The end date of the association of this teacher to this section. | [SectionTeacher]End_Date | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Teachers/Staff-Additional | Click Add and choose the teacher for the section from the pop-up menu | [SectionTeacher]TeacherID The internal identification number of the teacher in the associated SchoolStaff Record | Staff Student Course Template | |
% Allocation | The percentage allocation this teacher has for this section. | [SectionTeacher]Allocation | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Start Date | The start date of the association of this teacher to this section. | [SectionTeacher]Start_Date | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
End Date | The end date of the association of this teacher to this section. | [SectionTeacher]End_Date | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Section Number | Enter the unique section number of an individual class. | [Sections]Section_Number | 25 | Course Instructor Template |
Primary Teacher | Choose the primary teacher for this course from the menu. Use this field only if the teacher selected in the Teacher field above is not the long-term teacher. | [S_PA_SEC_X]Primary_Teacher_ID | 2 | Course Instructor Template |
Primary Instruction Language Code | Enter the primary instruction language for this course section. Click codes for valid values. In the new tab or window that opens with the codes, you may click the appropriate code to automatically enter that value. | [S_PA_SEC_X]Primary_Instr_Lang_Code | 16 | Course Instructor Template |
Exclude From PIMS | Choose Yes or No from the menu to indicate if the course should be excluded from PIMS reports. | [S_PA_SEC_X]Exclude_From_Pims_TF | 1 | Course Template Course Instructor Template |
Course Delivery Model Code | The method used to deliver instruction to the student for this section of the Course Code | [S_PA_CRS_X]Course_Delivery_Model_Code | 15 | Student Course Enrollment Template |
Dual Credit | Select to indicate it is a dual credit course | [Sections.S_PA_SEC_X]DualCredit | 1 | |
All Student Dual Credit Course Pass | Select to indicate all the students in this section have passed | [Sections.S_PA_SEC_X]DualCredit_CoursePass | 1 | |
Keystone Test Date | First day of the Keystone Testing Window. Used to calculate the correct percentages on the Staff Student Course Template | [S_PA_SEC_X]KeyTestDate | Staff Student Course Template | |
PSSA Test Date | First day of the PSSA testing window. Used to calculate the correct percentages on the Staff Student Course Template | [S_PA_SEC_C]PSSATestDate | Staff Student Course Template | |
Keystone Subtest Identifier | Choose from a pop-up menu the Keystone Subtest Identifier that applies to this course | [S_PA_SEC_C]KeySubTestIdentifier | 200 | Staff Student Subtest Template |
PSSA Subtest Identifier | Choose from the pop-up menu the PSSA Subtest Identifier that applies to this course Note: If this is an Algebra course where 7th and 8th grade students are enrolled, it is required that you assign the Math Grade 8 (PSSAM8) subtest Identifier. The Staff Student Subtest report will automatically assign the Math Grade 7 (PSSAM7) subtest identifier for 7th grade students. | [S_PA_SEC_C]PSSASubTestIdentifier | 200 | Staff Student Subtest Template |
Excluding Student from Staff Student Subtest ReportSections > Edit Section > Students to Exclude from Staff Student Subtest Report (PVAAS) Use this link to exclude students from the Staff Student Subtest report. These students should not have a student teacher relationship in the PVAAS. | ||||
Adding Additional Staff Student Instructional RelationshipsSections > Edit Section > Additional Staff Student Instructional Relationship For further information about setting up instructional relationships, along with examples, see Adding Additional Staff - Student Instructional Relationships. | ||||
Staff | From the pop-up menu select a teacher to create a student –teacher relationship | [Users]LastFirst | Staff Student Course Template | |
% Allocation | The percentage of instruction for which this teacher is responsible in the course/grade/subject by individual student. The INSTRUCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY WEIGHT will account for shared instruction of a student in a course. | [S_PA_SEC_C]Allocation | Staff Student Course Template | |
Student | Use the checkbox next to student’s names to create an enrollment relationship between the student and teacher. | [Students]lastfirst | Staff Student Course Template | |
Date Enrolled | Default enroll date for students class enrollment data | [CC]DateEnrolled | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Date Left | Default left date for students class enrollment data | [CC]DateLeft | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Relationship Start Date | Adjust the date if the student-teacher concurrent enrollment is different than the students Date Enrolled | [S_PA_SEC_C]StaffRelStartDate | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Relationship End Date | Adjust 'the date if the student-teacher concurrent enrollment is different than the student's Date Left | [S_PA_SEC_C]StaffEndStartDate | N/A | Staff Student Course Template |
Updating Years and TermsYears & Terms > [New/Edit] Terms | ||||
Name of Term | Enter the name of the term | [Terms]Name | N/A | Required Setup |
Abbreviation | Enter an abbreviation for the term. | [Terms]Abbreviation | N/A | Required Setup |
First Day of Term | Enter the first day of the term. | [Terms]FirstDay | N/A | Required Setup |
Last Day of Term | Enter the last day of the term. | [Terms]LastDay | N/A | Required Setup |
Entering Title 1 InformationPennsylvania State Information > Title 1 Information Use this page to indicate the type of Title 1 Program (SWP OR TAS) offered by the school for the selected school year. | ||||
Select School year | Select the appropriate school year to store data for that year | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C]YearID | District Fact-Title 1 | |
School Wide Program (SWP | Check the box for School Wide Program (SWP ) to display the correct fields to populate for SWP | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C]SWP | District Fact-Title 1 | |
SWP Public School Only- Total number of students in school age 0-2 years participating in Title 1 SWP Program | Enter the value for the total number of students in school ages 0-2 years that are participating in Title 1 SWP program | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C]PubSWP_Age02 | District Fact-Title 1 | |
SWP Public School Only- Total number of students in school age 3-5 years participating in Title 1 SWP Program | Enter the value for the total number of students in school ages 3-5 years that are participating in Title 1 SWP program | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C]PubSWP_Age35 | District Fact-Title 1 | |
School Wide Program (SWP | Leave the box unchecked if the School is a TAS Public School Only | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C]SWP | District Fact-Title 1 | |
TAS Public School Only – Total number of students in school ages 0-2 years participating in Title 1 TAS Programs. | Enter the value for the total number of students in school ages 0-2 years that are participating in Title 1 TAS Program | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C] PubTAS_Age02 | District Fact-Title 1 | |
TAS Public School Only – Total number of students in school ages 3-5 years participating in Title 1 TAS Programs. | Enter the value for the total number of students in school ages 3-5 years that are participating in Title 1 TAS Program | [S_PA_SCH_Title1_C] PubTAS_Age35 | District Fact-Title 1 | |
Defining Fire Drill InformationLocation Fact - Fire Drill Data Entry > Edit/New | ||||
Field #3. Select school year | Choose the school year for the fire drill from the pop-up menu. | [S_PA_SCH_FireDrill_C]schoolyear | N/A | Location Fact - Fire Drill |
Field #6. (CATEGORY 3) Month | Choose the month for the fire drill from the pop-up menu:
| [S_PA_SCH_FireDrill_C]Fire_Drill_Month | 3 | Location Fact - Fire Drill |
Field #18. Was a fire drill held this month? | Indicate whether a fire drill was held during the month. | [S_PA_SCH_FireDrill_C]Fire_Drill_Indicator_YN | 1 | Location Fact - Fire Drill |
Field #7. Indicator for reason fire drill was not held | Choose the reason the fire drill was not held from the pop-up menu. Note: This field is required if a fire drill was not held this month (Field #18). | [S_PA_SCH_FireDrill_C]Fire_Drill_Reason | 2 | Location Fact - Fire Drill |
Field #22. Enter Comment as to why a required drill was not conducted | Enter any additional comments as to why the fire drill was not conducted. Note: This field is required if a fire drill was not held this month (Field #18). | [S_PA_SCH_FireDrill_C]Fire_Drill_Comment | 250 | Location Fact - Fire Drill |
Field #20. Date on which the Fire drill was conducted | Enter the date on which the fire drill was conducted. | [S_PA_SCH_FireDrill_C]Fire_Drill_Date | Date | Location Fact - Fire Drill |
Defining AED InformationLocation Fact - AED Data Entry > [New] AED | ||||
School Year | Select the school year from the pop-up menu. | [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]YearID | 10 | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Editing AED DataLocation Fact - AED Data Entry > [New/Edit] AED | ||||
AED# | The Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) number, 01 through 16. | [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]RecNo | 2 | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Condition | Choose the condition of the AED from the pop-up menu: Valid values:
| [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]Condition | 10 | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Indicator | Choose Yes or No to indicate whether or not the location has an AED. | [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]Indicator_YN | 1 | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Service Date | Enter a single date indicating the school year during which the AED was placed in service Note: June 30 at the end of the standard school year is used to designate a school year. Thus, the 2017-2018 school year would be indicated by 2018-06-30. | [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]Service_Date | N/A | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Inspection Expires Date | Enter the date on which the current AED inspection expires. If none, report the earliest date of expiration of any of the components (batteries, pads, etc.) | [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]Inspection_Expires_Date | N/A | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Placement | Enter a description of the location of the AED within the school. | [S_PA_SCH_AED_C]Placement | 3000 | Location Fact - AED Extract |
Updating Bus Evacuation Drill Data Entry InformationLocation Fact - Bus Evacuation Drill Data Entry > New/Edit Location Fact - Bus Evacuation Drill Data Entry | ||||
Off Site Location | Select the checkbox if the drill will occur at an offsite location. If checked, the value of 9999 will be extracted for the Location Code. | [S_PA_SCH_BusDrill_C]OffSiteLocFlag_TF | 1 | Locacation Fact - Bus Drill |
School Year | Choose in which school year the bus drill will occur. | [S_PA_SCH_BusDrill_C]YearID | 11 | Locacation Fact - Bus Drill |
Bus Drill Type | The type of bus drill. This field is read-only. | [S_PA_SCH_BusDrill_C]DrillType | 8 | Locacation Fact - Bus Drill |
Indicator | Choose (Y) Yes or (N) No from the pop-up menu to indicate if a drill took place. | [S_PA_SCH_BusDrill_C]DrillIndicator_YN | 1 | Locacation Fact - Bus Drill |
Date | Enter the date for the bus drill. | [S_PA_SCH_BusDrill_C]DrillDate | N/A | Locacation Fact - Bus Drill |
Comment | Enter any additional comments. | [S_PA_SCH_BusDrill_C]DrillComment | 250 | Locacation Fact - Bus Drill |