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Three Texas Districts Choose New ENCORE! Service Deployment Model From 4GL School Solutions to Manage Programs for Special Populations

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 December 2005, 09:00 CST

Districts Will Transition from Paper-Based Systems to Web-Based Solution to Reduce the Paperwork Burden and Improve Data Management

Three Texas school districts have chosen 4GL School Solutions, Inc. (4GL) to provide a comprehensive, Web-based solution for managing their programs for special populations. Sherman Independent School District (ISD), Tomball ISD and Goose Creek ISD will implement 4GL's ENCORE!(TM) suite of software and service solutions for special populations, accessing ENCORE! through 4GL's new Application Service Provider (ASP) deployment model.

During the 2005-06 school year, each district will transition from its own paper-based system to the ENCORE! solution to automate and streamline data collection and management, and manage individualized education plans (IEP) for its special populations. ENCORE!'s ASP deployment option provides small to medium-sized districts with a cost-effective alternative to the traditional local implementation approach, enabling them to minimize their investment in hardware infrastructure and related support personnel. Utilizing a combination of "pre-customized" state forms and service offerings, the ASP model maintains all the features and benefits of the current, Web-based ENCORE! suite, providing a complete solution for managing the administrative complexities and critical decision-making processes inherent in programs for special populations.

Sherman Independent School District

Sherman ISD in Sherman, Texas will implement ENCORE! to manage programs for all its special populations, including about 1,000 special education students. Located approximately 50 miles north of Dallas, the district enrolls approximately 6,500 students in seven elementary schools, two intermediate schools, two high schools and one alternative school.

"We reviewed a number of different programs and felt that ENCORE! was the one program that best aligned with the needs of our staff. With ENCORE!, our administrative and instructional staff will be able to access information in real time, rather than have to wait for paperwork, which will help us better address the needs of our students," said Vicki Hubbard, director of special education and health services. "What I appreciate about 4GL is that they recognize the fact that smaller school districts have as many critical needs as large districts for this kind of system, if not more, because we tend to wear multiple hats in our positions. This will be a powerful solution for everyone for data integrity, collection and accessibility."

Tomball Independent School District

Tomball ISD will implement ENCORE! to manage its special education program, which serves approximately 775 students. The district encompasses 83.4 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. It enrolls more than 8,600 students in five elementary schools, three intermediate schools, two junior highs, and one high school.

"Because we're a growing district, we needed better access to student data and reports. We had some data integrity problems and saw an increasing need to move from paper to electronic forms," said Rebecca Lofton, director of special services for Tomball ISD. "When we compared ENCORE! to other programs, we felt that it was the most comprehensive program for the price. With ENCORE!, we'll be able to provide our staff with secure access to student data from any computer that's connected to the Internet, which is very important to us. It will make data management much easier."

Goose Creek Independent School District

Goose Creek ISD will also implement the ENCORE! system to manage its special education program, which serves approximately 1,750 students. Just a short drive from southeast Houston, the district covers 128 square miles in Harris and west Chambers counties. It enrolls nearly 20,000 students and encompasses 25 educational centers and additional support facilities.

"One of challenges we faced was the need to improve the integrity of our data. We also wanted to be able to update special education forms more easily and to use technology during ARD/IEP meetings to facilitate a more collaborative planning process," said Jackie Townsend from Goose Creek ISD. "We selected ENCORE! because of the quality of the product, the reputation of the company, and the excellent people who work with 4GL in Texas."

About ENCORE!

Designed specifically for the K-12 education market, ENCORE! helps school districts increase the effectiveness of their programs for special populations by automating time-consuming data collection and reporting processes, and reducing the paperwork burden. The comprehensive, Web-based software solution serves as a foundation for managing all phases of the IEP process for both general and special populations. As data is entered, compliance requirements are automatically verified, ensuring that paperwork is completed accurately and on time. As a result, educators can spend more time in the classroom, focusing on improving student learning and achievement.

About 4GL School Solutions

4GL School Solutions Inc. helps school districts more effectively manage the individualized learning process for all students receiving special services or interventions, including special education, at-risk, Section 504 and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. 4GL works collaboratively with districts of all sizes to deliver scalable, easy-to-use software solutions that lift the burden of paperwork from education professionals so they can focus on the most important part of their work: educating children and improving student achievement. The company is based in Towson, Md. For more information, visit http://www.4glschools.com or call 1-800-490-84GL (8445).

Source: Business Wire

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