Can you add preferred names?

mattm1124
Trainee

Can you add preferred names?

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.

7 Replies
JeffG9
PowerSchool Champion
PowerSchool Champion

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. 

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Full Disclosure: I do not work for PowerSchool
reynoldsn
Professional

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!

JeffG9
PowerSchool Champion
PowerSchool Champion

@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.

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Full Disclosure: I do not work for PowerSchool
reynoldsn
Professional

@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.

JeffG9
PowerSchool Champion
PowerSchool Champion

@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.

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Full Disclosure: I do not work for PowerSchool
mattm1124
Trainee

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!

JeffG9
PowerSchool Champion
PowerSchool Champion

@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!

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Full Disclosure: I do not work for PowerSchool