RITS

We understand that taking away RITS, COGNOS and PIPELINE acess posses some challenges.   We want to assure you that, as a BOCES, we remain committed to protecting student information while also ensuring you have the access you need to support your work. Our goal is to balance compliance with FERPA regulations and efficient access to student data.

After careful discussion, our team has developed a set of recommendations to streamline the process moving forward. 

Below are what we believe to be best practices:

1. Records Requests
For any records needs, we recommend submitting a formal request directly to the previous school. They should be able to provide the necessary documentation in a timely manner. If you encounter delays or issues with obtaining records, we would be happy to follow up on your behalf. We encourage securing all required records from the previous school before enrolling a student to ensure the complete transfer of information. We recognize that this may take more time than you are accustomed to, but it is essential for ensuring all records are properly received.

2. Dropouts
For students who are entering your program after dropping out from a previous school setting, it is important to gather all relevant information from the last public school they attended as part of the enrollment process. This helps maintain accurate records and ensures a smooth transition.

Regarding students who withdraw from your program, it is crucial that they complete paperwork detailing their next steps, whether it is continuing education elsewhere or otherwise. If the student needs to be issued a truancy notice, we recommend having the parent(s) complete this paperwork to ensure all steps are properly documented and that we maintain compliance.

3. New Enrollments and SASIDs
To ensure the timely assignment of SASIDs, we will be running and uploading RITS Read reports daily, ensuring that new students receive their SASID within 24 hours. We will use the RITS Match tool to link the student’s prior records. While the SASID is an important part of this process, we want to emphasize that you should already be receiving the student's prior records from the previous school, and the SASID should not be the primary focus for this process. Additionally, you can download a report of all SASIDs from Synergy and import this data into PowerSchool to update your records accordingly.

We deeply appreciate your ongoing dedication and attention to these matters. Our team is here to support you through this transition, and we are happy to assist with any student-specific pipeline information you may need. However, we would like to reiterate the importance of obtaining records directly from the previous school to gain a comprehensive understanding of the student’s educational history.

Thank you again for your hard work and continued partnership. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or need assistance.