topic Re: Can you add preferred names? in Community Forum

Can you add preferred names?

mattm1124 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 13:01:36 GMT

Is there a way teachers can add preferred names in Power teacher Pro? This feature would be helpful for when printing rosters. I know years ago teachers had that option when you had to launch Gradebook. Since that update (Around 2018), I haven't seen that option anywhere. I'm pretty sure admins can do change the name in the system, but I'm looking for a way to just change it in my Power Teacher for roster use so that way it doesn't change it for all of the system.

I know I could just export rosters to excel and make my own, but I don't want to miss potential changes when kids are added and removed from my class.

Thanks for any help.

Re: Can you add preferred names?

JeffG9 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 14:08:43 GMT

Hi @mattm1124 that functionality is not currently built-in to PT Pro, although as you mention there are a number of workarounds.

This will likely also depend on the state/province you live in; in New York, guidance from State Ed is to change all names in the SIS to reflect the student's preferred name, so you would not have two separate names.

Re: Can you add preferred names?

reynoldsn — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:42:28 GMT

Hi @mattm1124, @JeffG9

I'm in Louisiana and we need to add the preferred name to PowerTeacher Pro. What are the work-arounds?

thanks, in advance!

Re: Can you add preferred names?

JeffG9 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:45:52 GMT

@reynoldsnYou can run a class roster report, select Excel for the output and then simply alter the spreadsheet. You could also run a class roster report and add a Blank column, which you could type "Preferred Name" into and fill it in yourself after you print the report. LA may have state-specific fields that you may be able to utilize as well.

There is also the possibility of customization, if you or someone in your district is able.

Re: Can you add preferred names?

reynoldsn — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:48:36 GMT

@JeffG9

Does the teacher have access to do this? Are these templates for export standard in the PTP gradebook.

I apologize, but allowing a teacher to see the student's preferred name to best support the student should not require additional $$$ as special customization. It should be a part of the standard, primary gradebook tool for the teacher.

Re: Can you add preferred names?

JeffG9 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 15:52:47 GMT

@reynoldsn The reports I mentioned are part of out-of-the-box PT Pro.

As to your second point, hey, I don't work for PowerSchool.

Re: Can you add preferred names?

mattm1124 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:21:19 GMT

Thanks Jeff. I didn't think that was an option anymore for teachers but wanted to see if I was just missing something. I know you don't work for PowerSchools, but I hope they add it back at some point!

Re: Can you add preferred names?

JeffG9 — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:12:33 GMT

@mattm1124They finally added Groups back into PT Pro (although you can only use the feature on Production Servers, which is ridiculous, IMO), so who knows!

Re: Can you add preferred names?

CarolE — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:01:31 GMT

So how do you get the options for groups in PowerTeacher Pro?

Re: Can you add preferred names?

JeffG9 — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 18:26:43 GMT

It was added to PT Pro in PowerSchool 22.5.