Zangle: Is it worthwhile?

October 28, 2009

Novi students, whether they are in first grade or in eleventh grade, get report cards. Most students don’t enjoy getting their report cards unless they have good grades. But with the new grading software, Zangle, that was implemented in Novi High School last year, there is really no need for reports cards and progress reports to be sent home every three and six weeks throughout the school year.

With Zangle all you need is a computer that has Internet access, along with the correct login information, and you and your parents can see all of your grades right there on the screen. This system is helpful to parents because they are able to check on their students’ progress in school anytime they want to, from anywhere. Also, students can go online and check their grades, instead of constantly having to ask  the teacher what their grades are in the class.

Another plus with this system is that it is a lot cheaper than the previous system the school was using. Also for technical support with Zangle their offices are located right here in Michigan, and with the other system they were all the way out in Washington State. Zangle is also used in several other school districts around Michigan which allows for one system to support a lot more schools locally, thus supporting out local economy.

If you have never seen or heard of Zangle before you may think that having students and parents being able to see their grades at any time of the day may be crazy, but in reality it’s great.

For me as a student at Novi High I am always wondering what my grade is in World History, but instead of always asking my teacher I just wait until I get home. I go online to the Novi Community School District homepage and go to the Parents and Community tab and choose Zangle Parent/Student Connect. From there you decide if you are the parent or the student and click on the appropriate link to login.

While I think Zangle is a great tool, I also find it a little confusing at times. Sure you can check your own grades, but sometimes there are questions. When that happens, the teachers are still there and are more than happy to help you understand why things are the way they are with your grades.

So, do you think Zangle is worthwhile? I sure do.