Student Information Systems

The objective of a student information system (SIS) is to manage and maintain student data in an organized and efficient manner. It aims to provide accurate and comprehensive information about students, including their personal information, academic records, attendance, grades, and other relevant information. The system helps educators and administrators to make informed decisions, improve communication with students and their families, and facilitate data-driven decision-making in education. A great student information system should automate operations, keep in compliance with financial aid, and should be designed with your industry in mind for optimal integration and simplification. For more on how to select the right student information system, please read our eBook.

Generally, a student information system (SIS) includes, at minimum, the following features:

1. Student records management: This feature lets you store and manage student data such as name, contact information, academic history, attendance records, and grades. 
2. Enrollment management: This feature lets you manage student enrollment details such as course selection, class scheduling, and registration. 
3. Academic management: This feature allows you to manage student coursework, assignments, exams, and grading. 
4. Financial aid management: This feature lets you manage and track student financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans. 

Some other elements that an administrator may require or consider in their student information system are:

1. Reporting and analytics: This feature allows you to generate reports on various academic metrics such as attendance rates, student performance, and cohort analysis. 
2. Communication management: This feature allows you to communicate with students, parents, and faculty via messaging, emails, and notifications. 
3. Library management: This feature lets you manage the school library system, including cataloging books, lending and borrowing, and tracking due dates.
4. Attendance management: This feature lets you track student attendance records, including absences and tardiness. 
5. Timetable management: This feature lets you manage class schedules, including class timings, location, and faculty. 
6. Alumni management: This feature lets you maintain records of past students, their contact details, and their academic and professional achievements.

A student information system (SIS) helps post-secondary school administrators in several ways:

1. Improved Data Management: SIS software enables easy organization and access to data. Post-secondary administrators can access information about students such as grades, enrollment details, course histories, and attendance records. They can also generate reports from the software to analyze student performance data and progress.
2. Student Communication: With an SIS, administrators can communicate with students, faculty, and staff via message boards, email, and other channels. They can also post news and updates, schedules, and other relevant information related to their post-secondary school.
3. Enrollment and Admissions Management: An SIS streamlines enrollment and admissions processes. Administrators can easily manage applications, registration, and student records within the application. This reduces the need for manual data entry, making the enrollment process more efficient.
4. Financial Management: SIS software also simplifies financial management tasks for post-secondary schools. Administrators can manage student payments, invoices, and financial aid more efficiently, helping to keep their budgets organized.

Overall, SIS software helps post-secondary school administrators better manage student data, communicate with their students, streamline enrollment and admissions processes, and manage financial records.