SIRAS Newsletter August 2024
IMPORTANT Information for all users in SIRAS
- SIRAS Passwords: Although you will be prompted to change your password every 365 days, get ahead of the new school year and change your password now! Go to Tools > My Account and click on Edit Account Details. Enter your new password, confirm and then click Update User Account. If you have forgotten your password over the summer, the Email Password Reset button appears if/when you try to login with the wrong password. Click on the button to have a password reset link emailed to you.
- Review (30 day) meetings: If you will be holding a Review (30 day) meeting, you will need to indicate if the meeting is a New Plan or if the district adopting the IEP BEFORE the meeting is created. See help doc.
- Changes in SIRAS: Student Discipline is now found within the Student Profile. Remember that if a student is restrained, this must also be documented in your SIS system. Progress Reports can also be found under the Student Profile and this menu was streamlined.
- Degree of Support: For grades TK - 12th, when doing an Initial Eval, Triennial, or Annual Review after you 'save and return' the IEP Student Info and Services form if the student has a disability, you will see a new filed called Degree of Disability. There are two options ‘Mild/Moderate Support Needs - MMSN’ and ‘Extensive Support Needs - ESN’ - use the tool tip next to the field on guidance on which to choose. This field is also on the MIS Summary Page. Click here for more information about this new field.
- The grade change rollover occurred over the summer. If a meeting with a date prior to July 15 is open, the rollover is on hold until that meeting is finalized. Contact the SIRAS data administrator after finalizing and they will advance next year’s data/update the grade/school.
- Review meetings finalized last year without parent consent. Go to Reporting > Meeting Reports > Predefined Reports tab > click Parent Contacted, No Response. Adjust the meeting dates on the query to (7/1/2023-6/30/2024). Students whose last meeting finalized without consent, will still be working on the previous year’s goals.
- Share IEPs/Info for Gen Ed forms easily from SIRAS. IEP/Non-IEP forms are Savable and Printable in Batch. In the Tools menu/Document Library, click the ‘Fill in for student’ checkbox to enable the ability to save non-IEP forms. Print IEP and Non-IEP forms in batch by going to the Tools menu/Labels and Batch Forms/Batch Forms for your entire found set (your caseload or school).
- Review your current student list in SIRAS. Use the ‘Manage Caseload’ button under the Student Info menu to request students to be added or removed from your caseload.
- Use the Student Data Overview links on your home page to monitor your caseload. Review your students who have Overdue or Upcoming meetings (annuals due within the next 30 days and triennials due within the next 75 days.
IMPORTANT Information for SIRAS Data Administrators in SIRAS
- After Rollover Help can be found here and the following are some of the tasks to be aware of:
- User account transfer processing. Sped Data Administrators can use the tab on the Home Page called User Transfers where you can ‘Reassign’ user accounts. Clicking ‘Reassign’ for that user will allow the transfer to the requested district. See help document for more information about this feature.
- Select Deactivate User Accounts for staff who are not returning this year. This will clear associated district assignments to make the account easier to transfer to another district if required.
- Enter Progress Report dates and School Holidays under Tools/SELPA-District-School Admin for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Search for students without a Case Manager and assign one.
- EOY Amendment Window: The EOY Amendment Window closes on August 16. Let SELPA know if you will be re-certifying to make further data updates.
- Continue to follow up on IEP meetings finalized last year that did not have parent consent. Print a list from Reporting/Meeting Reports/Predefined/Parent Contacted, No Response. Narrow the meeting date criteria, e.g., 7/1/2023-current date, to limit meetings in the list from last year only. Remember that meetings finalized this way last year, do not have the new year’s goals approved yet. If parent consent is received because of your follow up, upload the signed document and update the parent consent. Do NOT reactivate the meeting to complete these tasks. Review your associated archive(s) and current data to make sure they were properly updated to reflect the new parent response.
- Degree of Support: As shared above, this feature is both on the IEP manager and the MIS Summary. Work with your administrator to determine who will be completing and monitoring this new data piece to keep it as accurate as possible. This data will be collected as part of Fall 1 2025 to our understanding at this time. We’ll keep you updated with any changes.
SIRAS TRANSLATION SERVICES:
Introducing Siras Systems' Translation Services – a dedicated division of Siras Systems committed to providing comprehensive language solutions for educational needs. From translating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and assessment reports, we've got you covered. Backed by our team of experienced and professional translators, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional quality translations with swift turnaround times (within 5 working days, usually 3) at highly competitive rates (just .18/word). While currently specializing in English to Spanish translations, we're expanding our language offerings. If your school district requires expert translation services or interpreter assistance, reach out to Steve at [email protected] for a competitive cost and time estimate, or to address any inquiries you may have. Experience seamless communication and reliable support with Siras Systems Language Solutions.
SST Tracker and the 504 Modules:
>>> 504 Module - SIS Integration now available. Click here for more technical information
Contact [email protected] for a quote and to arrange
The modules employ Transfer buttons on the MIS Summary page which move the student record from one module to another (for example, SST to 504 or SST to Special Education). If your district is interested in using either the SST Tracker or the 504 Plan Developer email Siras Systems for assistance to get started.
Optional Costs:
- Customized 504 Forms
- SIS Integration of demographic and contact data
- Training & Workshops
SIRAS CCSS Goal Alignment to Assessment & Worksheet Project:
Siras Systems is looking for volunteers to assist in the development of short assessment worksheets connected to the goal stems when developed in the GoalWizard. Our hope is that we can combine our resources and efforts to develop material for CCSS goal stems. SIRAS Systems will help coordinate and facilitate the development of the assessments, configure and import the files into SIRAS when complete. This project will take about a year to fully materialize. This cooperative effort benefits the outcomes of the students we serve. Users in the SIRAS family can easily and efficiently develop baselines, evaluate the student’s progress toward their goals, determine whether the goal is met and present this evidence at the annual review meetings. Your participation and contribution to this project as a SELPA would be greatly appreciated by many. All participants that assist would be added to our Acknowledgement page for professional recognition. If you are interested in assisting with this project, email Steve Ormbrek at [email protected]