DOE in school database chaos

In another chaotic rollout for the Department of Education, the parents of nearly 1 million city students must visit schools in person before classes end on June 26 to log in to a new database.

NYC Schools Account is replacing ARIS, the $83 million studentdata system that went live in 2009 under thenMayor Michael Bloomberg. Parents log in to the system’s Web site to review report cards, track absences and update contact information. In August, they can view state test scores and school schedules.

But parents must first establish accounts and passwords — and they won’t have much time to jump through all the hoops the DOE has set up for them.

During the parent signup, a single staffer in each school — typically the parent coordinator — must check a parent’s photo ID and issue a temporary password. The requirement was sprung on schools with just three weeks left on the academic calendar.

“It’s mindboggling,” said Lillian Cipoletti, a PTA parent at IS 24 on Staten Island. “I’m hearing a lot of frustration from parents who would have to take off from work to do this.”

In addition, “June is the worst time of year” for parent coordinators, said Laurie Windsor, president of Community Education Council District 20 in Brooklyn. At that time, “they are inundated” with graduations, performances, trips, and events to manage.

As a result, many schools — including PS 144 in Queens, IS 24 on Staten Island and IS 239 in Brooklyn — have not informed parents about the new system or the required appointments.

Some schools are telling parents to drop in during school hours this week. Others, like IS 7 and PS 60 on Staten Island, have set up formal schedules when staffers will be present to process registrations. A few schools are considering summer signups, although those would pose logistical difficulties for both parents and staff.

A DOE spokesman said, “We are exploring additional ways for parents to sign up.”