Truancy Call Monitoring System

[acrobson]

Hi All,

 

We have just been informed that we have to install a new monitoring program called 'Truancy Call', this app interconnects with SIMS and then sends a automated text or phone call to the parents of those of whom have not been registered on the SIMS system.

 

We have just browsed at it so far and will begin the Research and Development :?: process next week, has anyone used or does use this and is there anything we should know.

 

As we have not had any imput and a member of senior management has decided just to buy it :x and then give it to us without any other input from the us the team employed to advise on technical matters within the college. :x

 

Any tips which anyone has picked up along the way RE Truancy Call would be helpful, before we start.

 

I am expecting as the senior management have bought it without consulting it, it will be a huge disaster, they want it on loads of machines, however, when I mentioned licences, they went white and asked what they are?

[plexer]

Presumably it only needs to be on one machine if it connects with sims to see who is missing and then uses t'internet to send out the sms messages?

 

Ben

[acrobson]

Presumably it only needs to be on one machine if it connects with sims to see who is missing and then uses t'internet to send out the sms messages?

 

Ben

Yeah, it sure does, however the senior management team want it onall admin machines and all head of year groups machines so each can monitor their own year group.

[plexer]

But monitoring their year groups etc.. is surely what they do in sims it has nothing to do with truancy call?

 

Ben

[acrobson]

But monitoring their year groups etc.. is surely what they do in sims it has nothing to do with truancy call?

 

Ben

Yes, but when SIMS flags a student as being absent, then triggers Truancy Call to send an alert, this is what the senior management want the heads of year groups to monitor for each of their year groups etc.

[Domino]

however, will you be able to stop it sending 20 texts to each parent cause 20 instances see that kid as absent?

[acrobson]

however, will you be able to stop it sending 20 texts to each parent cause 20 instances see that kid as absent?

From what i understand of the system, you can place certain students in groups which can only be accessed by certain people via the SIMS 'Lesson Monitor' system, as well as that, i understand it indicate if a alert has been sent by highlighting in differnt colouts etc.

[Mr_Jones]

however, will you be able to stop it sending 20 texts to each parent cause 20 instances see that kid as absent?

We (well, the attendance team! ) found this annoying! We'd rather it had just contacted the Priority 1 and then told us whether it had been successful or not. This was one of the reasons we got rid, in the end.