Launching the Gradebook Before you can log in to PowerTeacher, you will need your username, and your password. If you do not have this information or have questions, contact your school s PowerSchool administrator. Note: Do not use someone else s password or give your password to anyone else. How to Log In to PowerTeacher 1. Open your web browser to the CMS PowerTeacher URL; cms.powerschool.com/teachers. The Log In page appears. 3. When you are ready to quit using the gradebook, navigate to the PowerTeacher Gradebook menu at the top of your screen, and click Quit PowerTeacher Gradebook, or simply close the gradebook window. Creating Categories Gradebook contains four pre defined categories: Homework, Project, Quiz, and Test which will be deleted. The pre defined categories will be replaced with: Formal and Informal. The categories that you create will be available to all of the classes you teach. Note: You will need to create the following Categories: Informal and Formal. 1. Click the Plus (+) in the lower left corner of the Categories window. 2. On the Start Page, click Gradebook > Launch Gradebook. Note: As the program launches, users will need to click Trust. 1
Note: The Category Set up window will appear. 2. In the Category Name field type Formal. 3. In the Abbreviation field type Formal. 4. Set the default number of points possible to 100. 5. Choose a color and the score type. 6. Check to include in the Final Grade. 7. Choose to publish assignments immediately. 8. Check to Publish Scores. 9. Add a description (optional). 10. Click OK to save categories you created. 11. Repeat steps 1 10 until to add the Informal Category. Deleting Categories Note: you must delete the following categories: Homework, Project, Quiz and Test. 1. Select the pre defined category you wish to delete. 2. Click the Minus sign ( ) to complete the deletion of the selected 2
category. 3. The Delete Category Dialogue box will appear. Click OK to confirm deletion. Final Grade Setup Reporting Terms Calculates the final grade for an individual reporting term and must be setup for each reporting period. This process will need to be completed for each class you teach. 1. Click the Grade Setup tab. 2. Select the grading term you wish to work with by clicking on the folder. For example (Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4). 3. Choose the calculation method, of category weights. 4. Click the (+) at the bottom of the screen to add category weights. 5. Select Category dialogue box will appear. 6. Select the following Categories: Formal and Informal. 7. Click OK 8. Enter weights for the chosen Categories as follows: Formal 60%, Informal 40%. 9. Click Save. 3
Coping Final Grade Set up 4. Enter 100 for each of the term weights. 5. Click Save. Once the Final Grade Set up has been created for one (Q1) reporting term; it can be copied to the remaining reporting terms (Q2, Q3, and Q4). This process will need to be completed for each class you teach. 1. Select the reporting 2. Click Copy, the Copy Final Grade Setup Dialogue box appears. 3. Select item to be copied. Note select the term that you want to copy. For example: Q1 only or Q2 only. 4. Click OK, the Copy Grade Setup Dialogue box appears. 5. Select the terms that you want the Final Grade Setup to be copied. 6. Click Next; the confirmation dialogue box appears. 7. Click Finished. Final End of Year Grade Setup The Final End of Year Grade Setup calculates the final course grade. The Final End of Year Grade is weighs each reporting term as 25% of the overall grade. Therefore, Q1=25%, Q2=25%, Q3=25% and Q4 = 25%. This process will need to be completed for each class you teach. 1. Click the Grade Setup tab. 2. Select the F1 grading term you wish to work with by clicking on the folder. 3. Choose the calculation method, of term weights Assignments Assignments can be added to the gradebook anytime during the school year, term or semester. Assignments can also be copied from a previous school year, term or another class. Assignments can be made available to parents, guardians and students Immediately, On Specific Date, Days Before Due, or On Due Date. 4
Create an Assignment 1. Select a class from the Classes pane. (top left of Gradebook) 2. Click the Assignments tab. The Assignment window appears. 3. Click the (+) button. The New Assignment window appears. 4. Enter the Assignment Name 5. Select the Category you want the Assignment to be associated with Formal or Informal. 6. Enter Possible Points 7. Enter a Due Date 8. Check include in Final Grade 9. Enter a description for the Assignment (optional) 10. From the Publish Assignment pop up menu, choose when to publish the assignment: Immediately, On Specific Date, Days Before Due, or On Due Date. 11. Click Save. Edit an Assignment To edit an assignment just double click on the assignment, edit information and Save. Copy an Assignment You can copy assignments from one class to another from current or previous term. Copy Assignment can be found in the Tools menu at the top of the screen. 1. Select the assignment to copy. 2. Go up to Tools on the menu bar and select Copy Assignment. 3. Select the boxes of any class you like the assignment to be added to. 1. It will copy exactly, minus any scores input. 4. Last, if you need to do a different date, use the Due Date drop down menu. 5. Click OK. 5
Entering Scores When entering scores, match the type of score to what you set up when you created the assignment; numbers for points and percentage, letters for letter grades. Scores can be entered individually or by using the quick entry methods. Entering Scores Individually 1. From the Assignment tab, click in the cell that is the intersection of the row containing the student's name and the column of the assignment you want to score 2. Enter the score Entering Scores Using Fill Scores 1. Select Fill Scores from the Tools Menu while in the Scoresheet or Assignment tabs. 2. You can fill empty scores if you have not entered grades or choose the replace option to override what you currently have if you desire. 3. Select from one of the choices, or enter a score and add a comment if desired. Note all of the students in the class will receive the score and comment that was just entered. 4. Click OK. 3. Press Enter to advance to the next student and Tab to advance to the next assignment. 4. When you have finished entering scores, click Save 6
Using the Score Inspector The Score Inspector provides the ability to add notes to yourself about a student s performance in class such as, late, exempt, or missing. You can also use the Score Inspector to enter a public comment. 1. Click the Tools Menu and click Score Inspector. 2. On the Scoresheet, click in the assignment column in the first empty cell next to the appropriate student you want to score. In the Score Inspector, you can select: Collected, Late, Exempt, Missing, input the score and/or type in a comment. 3. To add a comment you can type in the field. 4. Toggle between students by using the down/up arrows or go between assignments. 5. The Clear button clears the score, comment or a check. 6. Click Close when finished. Then click Save. Note: You can use the Score Inspector to enter a comment on the term grade also. Adding Class Content The Content modes contain links to websites and other content information on the web. You can add online resources that would be beneficial to your students in your classes My Content tab. To add a link to an Internet site: 1. Click the Class Content tab and then click the My Content mode. 2. Click Plus (+). 3. Enter the name and address of the website. 4. "Web Site" is the default content type. (If you're linking to a document that resides on your schools server, select PDF or Word Doc to match the document type.) 5. If you plan to gather several links, you might consider creating groups of links. If so, create Content Groups much like you created Categories for assignments, then select a Group for the link you are adding. 6. Enter a description. 7. Click Save. The links and link groups will appear on the My Content page. 7
Student Information The Student Info tab contains basic demographic information about your student. For more information refer to the Student Management feature in PowerTeacher. To access student information: 1. Click Student Info tab 2. Double Click on the desired students; their information will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. 3. To Exit click on the (x) above the student tab at the bottom of the screen. Types of Reports Attendance Grid Use to mark attendance manually. Format to print for specific dates or no dates. Category Total Report View a summary of category totals for a student or class. Choose to report a specific term or all terms. Final Grade and Comment Verification View final grade information for your students. Select to include all final grades information or specific information, like final grade only. Individual Student Report View a summary of class information per student similar to a progress report. Choose what grade information is printed as well as the date range. Missing Assignment Report View a list of students with assignments not scored or missing. Select to print the student number instead of name so the list may be posted. Scoresheet Print a paper copy of grade and assignment data. Choose to print all categories or one category, and select to include final grades and assignments. Student Multi Section Report View final grade information for all of a student's sections, not just your class. Choose specific terms to include. Printing Reports Use the reports available through the gradebook to provide a paper or electronic copy of student information. Report can be personalized by entering a custom title or including a top note, bottom note, and signature line. There are eight types of reports available, and they can be presented in three output types: PDF, HTML, or Text Export (CSV). Student Roster View student demographic information. Select to include a variety of student information and even format a column to keep track of money collected or permission received. 8