What is PowerSchool? Why do Alabama parents have to use it? (2024)

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The start of the school year means parents receive a flurry of forms and notifications.

Last year, all Alabama public schools moved to a new virtual notification and grade system, called PowerSchool.

You might already have used the system to register your student for classes this year. Keep track of that login information!

Ideally, the system allows parents to check all student information -- including attendance, grades and messages from teachers -- in one account, even a parent has multiple children attending different schools.

What you need to know:

How do I access PowerSchool?

Each district should create an access code and password for each school where you have a child enrolled, and send that information to listed parents. Here is an example of how to create and link students in your account. Up to seven students can be linked in one account.

Keep an eye out for messaging from your school about those accounts. For example, Elmore County Schools plans to start adding information this Monday, Aug. 22. Others may already have provided access information or started adding grades and attendance information.

If you don’t receive your student’s access code and password, you will need to contact your school’s registrar.

Only one username and password will be issued per parent or guardian. Check with your school if information or accounts need to be updated due to custody changes.

What can I see with PowerSchool?

Specific information may vary by school and district, but generally, people with the Parent Portal should be able to see and request updates on:

• Grades for current classes, and the assignments that make up those grades.
• Attendance for the past two weeks or the whole quarter.
• Teacher comments
• Disciplinary actions
• Safety notifications, emergency alerts and weather updates

Parents will not be able to see other students’ grades. Students will have access to similar information via the Student Portal.

How do I use the app?

First, create a virtual account on the PowerSchool website. That needs to be done before downloading and logging into the PowerSchool app.

What if I don’t have internet at home?

If you don’t have reliable internet access at home, try using the mobile app on your phone. If you can’t do that either, unfortunately you’ll need to use a public computer at a library or community space.

Why do I keep having issues?

The app’s rollout wasn’t without issues in 2021. Sometimes schools report errors saving grades or schedules.

All big computer information systems occasionally have glitches. Sometimes the company reports bugs or down servers. But, with the statewide rollout in the rearview mirror, hopefully most internal and external issues have been smoothed out.

Keep an eye out for updates from your school, and if you have issues, contact your school’s central office to troubleshoot.

Check with your school and district for help with logging in, passwords, and connectivity issues. Many have created one-sheets to help navigate common problems.

Where do I find...

Many schools have moved most forms and applications to virtual PowerSchool formats. That includes applications for re-enrollment, free- and reduced-price lunch, medical waivers, attendance waivers and more. Check through the “Forms” section of the Parent Portal.

Is this really necessary?

Alabama schools used a prior system, iNow, for a decade. State officials say PowerSchool is safe and secure, and helps teachers and district- and state-level officials get necessary information about student performance and improvement much faster than a paper-based or localized system.

“Handling student records securely and accurately is an incredibly important part of the Alabama State Department of Education’s responsibility to students, parents, and schools,” state Superintendent Eric Mackey said when the state selected the company.

PowerSchool also gives different types of educators different levels of access to student information, which officials say helps protect sensitive details.