VARTEQ

EDTECH CASE STUDY

Follett Aspen student information system case study

For more than ten years, VARTEQ has developed and supported features across Aspen, Follett's student information system for K-12 schools, in both its desktop and mobile versions.

BUILD WITH VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES

At a glance

Client
Follett
Product
Aspen student information system (SIS)
Industry
EdTech
Location
United States, K-12 schools
Services
Custom Software Development, Product Engineering
Engineering partner
10+ years
Relationship
Long-term, ongoing
Versions supported
Desktop + mobile

OVERVIEW

The project

Aspen is a student information system (SIS): the software K-12 schools in the US use to manage student records and daily school operations. Parents, students, teachers and school staff all use it, each for different tasks and with access to sensitive information.

VARTEQ develops and supports features across the system, in the full desktop version and the mobile version.

Background

Digital education tools help teachers understand individual students’ needs and give them more time for teaching by reducing routine administrative work.

Aspen brings student records, reporting and analysis into one system. Schools can manage sensitive student data in one place rather than maintain separate databases for everyday workflows.

Follett wanted a more consistent quality assurance, testing and continuous integration process for its education software. VARTEQ initially contributed to this work as part of a broader delivery team. Follett later retained VARTEQ as the sole contractor for this engagement.

WHERE THEY STARTED

The challenge

Aspen had to bring student records and school management into one system, from attendance and grades to lockers and bus schedules. It holds sensitive information about students, teachers, parents and school staff, and each group needs its own view of it, on desktop and on mobile.

WHAT WE BUILT

What we developed and supported

  1. Library and eContent platform

    • A new user interface for the admin panel
    • An admin panel for the online library, built from scratch as a single-page application
    • Old modules refactored and new frontend and backend modules developed
    • Backend components on REST services for the online learning system
    • Work on the project architecture and server-side logic
    • Unit tests for frontend and backend code

  2. Student data platform

    • Quick access to timely, actionable data
    • Customized state reporting
    • A gradebook for traditional and standards-based scoring
    • Master scheduling for classes and events
    • A health database that tracks individual students' health needs
    • Integration with other school systems and digital learning tools
    • Online access for families to homework, assignments, grades and report cards
    • Single sign-on for school staff

SERVICES ON THIS PROJECT

TECHNOLOGIES USED

  • Java
  • Spring
  • Struts
  • RESTEasy
  • AngularJS
  • jQuery
  • MSSQL

WHAT CHANGED

What the work supports

  • eContent management for eBooks, audiobooks, interactive books and research databases, with an easy graphical interface for library staff and teachers
  • Usage reports that support accountability, search with multiple filters and sort options, and fast checkouts and check-ins
  • Faster processing, indexing and retrieval of data
  • Cross-browser support and protection against unauthorized use
  • Student data kept consistent across connected district systems, without duplicate data entry
  • Continuous development, enhancement and testing since 2014

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