The Maine DOE is replacing its current student information system (SIS), Infinite Campus State Edition (ICSE), with Edupoint Synergy. The change will take place over the next two years, and the new Synergy computer system will have little or no impact on the student data system currently in use in Maine’s school administrative units (SAUs).
Maine has been doing business with the same vendor since 2007, and last year the Department identified needed improvements and what is available in the market place for the handling of student information from SAUs.
The requirements for a replacement system were assembled into a Request for Proposal (RFP) that was publicly released in November. The requirements call for improvements in the flexibility of the system along with quality, availability and security improvements. All of this was to be accomplished with little or no impact on the student data system currently in use in the SAUs.
Seven bidders responded to the RFP with proposals, including the Department’s current SIS vendor, Infinite Campus of Blaine, Minnesota. An evaluation committee was convened and included members from around the Department and the Office of Information Technology. After over a month of review, the committee unanimously selected Edupoint Educational Systems, LLC as the vendor with the best-suited system, which is called Synergy.
Moving to Synergy software will not be as simple as “flipping a switch.” It will take Department staff and Edupoint staff 18 months to two years to finally change to the new system. This methodical schedule is to ensure that all requirements are met, the system has a smooth roll out, and there is minimal impact on educators across the state. Once the contract is in place, details of the project will be finalized.
Once fully operational, the Edupoint Synergy system will provide improved, timelier access to accurate student data across the state. This will also allow both local and state users to make more confident, data-driven decisions in their educational programs.
For more information, contact Education Data Manager Brian Snow at 624-6840 or brian.snow@maine.gov.