Question:
Can you provide me with contact information for one or more information technology consulting firms you would recommend to evaluate RFP for school district student information system?Response: You are to be commended for your efforts to construct an accurate and thorough Request for Proposals for a new Student Information System. Although time consuming to construct, FCMAT believes that this is one example where it is necessary "to go slow in order to go fast". In other words, careful identification of your functionality requirements at this stage will pay dividends for years and years to come if the result is the selection of an SIS that is more tailored to the unique needs of your school district and student population.
Although FCMAT is aware of no specific consulting firms capable of assisting you, we would like to offer the following suggestions and resources for consideration.
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You should contact the California School Information Services (CSIS, 916-325-0887) for guidance and information with regard to SIS options such as CSIS-compatibility, best practices, SIS vendor contact information, and a variety of other useful documentation.·
Subscribe to the California Educational Technology Professionals Association (CETPA) EdTech Listserv. It is likely that many members of the EdTech Listserv have faced the same question and could provide a wealth of information and experience for you as you move forward into the selection, evaluation, and implementation phases.·
Review the January 2003 issue (Volume 2003 Ÿ Issue 1) of the DataBus publication. The theme of this particular issue of the DataBus was "Student Information Systems". Featured articles include:o District Investment in Student Information Systems Is Leveraged by CSIS
o Student System Readiness
o Schools Implement Eagle Software’s Aries SIS
Another valuable DataBus issue that you should review is January 2004 (Volume 2004 Ÿ Issue 1). The theme of this particular issue was "Data Assessment and Analysis". An article of particular importance for you within this issue is titled:
o Expanding the Role of the SIS to Promote Better Decision-Making
A final option for your consideration would be to contract FCMAT to obtain a review of your SIS RFP. To explore this option further, go to http://www.fcmat.org/ and click the "Request Our Services" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
8/22/08
