2025.7.0

Release Date: April 24, 2025

The 2025.7.0 release reinforces our focus on system reliability, data accuracy, and state compliance. This version includes backend improvements through technical debt reduction, enhanced data visibility in the Student Grid, and several important fixes. We’ve also introduced new functionality and updates that streamline workflows for all clients, while continuing to meet the evolving needs of state-specific reporting.

✨ Feature Highlight

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Import Data into LACES (LA-19711)
We’ve redesigned the LACES import experience to make importing faster, clearer, and easier.

What’s improved:

• A centralized location for all imports
• Step-by-step, in-app instructions for each import type
• Clearer matching and update rules
• Simplified templates and updated documentation

You can now access imports in two easy ways:

• From the Imports option in the Additional menu
• From the Import Data option under the More menu in relevant areas

This update streamlines bulk data entry and improves accuracy across all major import types, including Students, Assessments, Credentials, Class Hours, and Employment Outcomes.

📘 For full details, check out the updated import documentation or contact LACES Support.

🐞 General Bug Fixes

“Eligible to Move Forward” Search Returning No Results (LA-20968)
Resolved an issue where the “Eligible to Move Forward” search returned no results and the associated batch process failed. Both now operate as intended.

Duplicate Classes Not Accessible for Some Roles (LA-20969)
Corrected a permissions issue preventing Data Entry Clerk I and II users from accessing the “Duplicate Class” feature in the Main Class Grid.

🚀 General Updates & Enhancements

Employer Displayed in Most Recent Work History on Student Grid (LA-11043)
Added the employer from the most recent line of Work History as a visible field in the Student Grid, enhancing access to key employment data.

Standard PIRL Export Now Available (LA-18690)
Implemented a standardized PIRL export accessible to all clients, supporting consistent federal WIOA reporting.

Primary Language Field Added to the Portal (LA-19971)
Introduced a new field in the intake portal to capture a learner’s primary language, providing more accurate language data than application language defaults.

Expiration Date of 6/30/2025 Added for Assessment Instruments (LA-20648)
Per the Federal Register (03/18/2024 & 06/20/2024), an expiration date of 06/30/2025 was added to the following Instrument/Forms. They will not be allowed to be moved forward to 2025-2026 since they will no longer be valid:

• BEST Literacy / Forms B, C, and D

• BEST Plus 2.0 / Forms D, E, and F

• CASAS Life & Work-Listening / Forms 981L, 982L, 983L, 984L, 985L, and 986L

• CASAS Life & Work-Reading / Forms 27R, 28R, 81R, 81RX, 82R, 82RX, 83R, 84R, 85R, 86R, 185R, 186R, 187R, 188R, 513R and 514R

• CASAS Adult Life Skills / Forms 310 and 311

• CASAS Citizenship-Reading / Forms 27R, 28R, 951R, 951RX, 952R, and 952RX

• TABE CLAS-E / Forms A and B 

• TABE / Forms 11 and 12

• TABE / TABE 11 & 12 Online Locator

Criteria Builder Update: Department as a Searchable Field (LA-20937)
Expanded Criteria Builder functionality to include “Department” as a searchable field under the Student area.

Standardize Northstar Digital Literacy (NDL) Assessments (LA-21035)
Updated all Northstar Digital Literacy assessment labels and structures for consistency across clients and improved reporting alignment.
The Northstar Digital Literacy assessment is now broken out into 3 forms to align with the Northstar Standards:

1.  Essential Computer Skills

2.  Essential Software Skills

3.  Using Technology in Daily Life

      While the Northstar Digital Literacy assessment is not a level-defining assessment used for NRS reporting, we now display a Digital Literacy Skill Level based             on the score entered:

• 0.0-24.9 = Beginning DLS

• 25.0-49.9 = High Beginning DLS 

• 50.0-84.9 = Intermediate DLS 

• 85.0-100.0 = Advanced DLS

Hide BEST Plus 3.0 / Computer Adaptive Form (LA-21105)
System-wide removal of the BEST Plus 3.0 Computer Adaptive Form, aligning with updated national assessment standards.

🛠 Performance & Technical Enhancements

Improved responsiveness in high-traffic areas of the system (LA-19878)
Reduced the number of rows displayed by default in key grid views to boost load times and overall performance.

More reliable handling of scheduled background jobs (LA-16761, LA-16762, LA-16763, LA-16764, LA-20462)
Transitioned several scheduled tasks to a more stable scheduling system, improving consistency and error recovery across recurring processes.

Streamlined data filtering and display for better performance (LA-20992)
Enhanced logic for the “Current FY” filter to provide more accurate and consistent results.

Ongoing work to reduce technical debt and support long-term scalability (LA-19711)
Continued backend improvements, including refactored import functionality and validation, to support a cleaner and more scalable system.

🏛️ State Customizations