Powerschool, a multi-use tool for teachers, parents, and students
Course managementMarking and feedback
Description: PowerSchool is an interface with different tools for primary and secondary school teachers. It contains a planboard that can be used for lesson planning, as well as managing the teacher’s schedule. Its digital curriculum functionality helps educators check for redundancies, inconsistencies, misalignments, weaknesses, and gaps in the curriculum, together with documenting their required components and the intended student learning outcomes. Moreover, its markboard helps educators with the evaluation of students and tracking their individual progress. PowerSchool offers a free limited version and requires registration. It was developed by Greg Porter.
Evaluation: PowerSchool is a useful tool for educators, parents, and students since it can help them in every step of the teaching and learning process. It can also help teachers reduce the time spent on planning and preparing lessons and tracking students’ progress. As a downside, PowerSchool primarily focuses on solutions for schools in the US.
Cost: Free limited version with registration + paid options available.
Usability and tech notes ▼
Time efficiency 
Time needed to learn how to use a tool and its time-saving potential: Medium, it requires some time to get familiarised in the beginning.
Interface language(s) The number of languages in which the tool is currently available/adaptable to: English
Respect for privacy What data does the tool collect and why? What security measures are there? GDPR compliant? : Medium/high. PowerSchool processes different types of user data, including unique device identifiers, IP addresses, browser types and configurations, dates and times of usage, and service and cookie data, but conforming to the preferences set by school data controllers. This data, which is rather extensive, is collected to fulfil contractual obligations, comply with laws, and support customer services, that is with a legal basis. For example, it uses only de-identified and anonymous data in the development of their analytic algorithms and for product development. PowerSchool commits to using commercially reasonable physical, administrative, and technical safeguards to protect personal information. It undergoes third-party certifications against industry security standards. Concerning children's privacy, PowerSchool states that children under 13 may only use their products with prior parental or educational institution consent. It clarifies that consent for processing Customer Data is the responsibility of the educational institutions. PowerSchool mentions its commitment to complying with applicable data protection laws and aligning with best practices and international regulations but does not elaborate upon GDPR. It provides rights to access data, correct/update it, request deletion of it, opt-out of data processing, withdraw given consent, and more. See more here.
Saving work for future use Can work be saved for future use?: Yes.