State fixes transcript problems in new computer system

The PowerSchool program was rolled out last summer and has been plagued with problems since then. Fifteen problem areas are still under review, down from 32 last week, according to DPI officials.

One major issue involves records not following students who transfer from one school district to another. High school seniors also are worried by the system's inability to calculate midyear GPAs, update class ranks and send transcripts to colleges.

DPI officials said they have devised a fix for the transcript problem and hoped to have it in place by Thursday.

"We worked closely with Wake County to come up with a formula, and (PowerSchool developer) Pearson is currently finished the coding on that," Philip Price, DPI chief financial officer, told members of the State Board of Education. "So, we will have that as an alternative for anybody in the state that would like to run those type transcripts."

Price and other officials told state board members to expect to see new problems pop up in the coming weeks, and no one could provide a definitive answer when asked how long it would take to solve all of PowerSchool's problems.

Board members called the system's troubles overwhelming, disturbing and frustrating.