Mindex in Focus

MTSS Doesn’t Usually Fall Apart on Paper - It Falls Apart in Practice

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:53:36 GMT

Most districts don’t struggle with MTSS because they don’t understand it.

Data‑Rich Isn’t Enough

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Tue, 05 May 2026 13:12:45 GMT

Why Decisions, Not Dashboards, Drive Better Outcomes in K–12

K–12 districts today are surrounded by data. Student information systems, assessments, MTSS tools, and accountability reports generate more information than ever before.

Breaking the Cycle—Part 2: Turning Attendance Insight into Early Action

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:03:02 GMT

In our previous posts, Chronic Absenteeism Soars to 26%-What’s Behind the Spike and Breaking the Cycle: Understanding the Link Between Absenteeism and Discipline, we explored how attendance and behavior are deeply connected. Chronic absenteeism doesn’t just impact academics. It affects engagement, relationships, and long-term student outcomes.

A First Look at Our New SchoolTool Online Registration Module (Now in Beta)

SchoolTool — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:36:04 GMT

Empowering New York Schools for the Future

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:01:58 GMT

CCCR, NY Inspires, and a Holistic View of Student Readiness in SchoolTool

As New York State advances a more holistic vision for student success—one rooted in equity, real-world readiness, and meaningful demonstrations of learning—districts need systems that can translate that vision into everyday practice. Mindex’s SchoolTool platform does exactly that.

How K-12 Leaders are Using AI to Simplify Data and Drive Decisions

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:59:19 GMT

Supporting Counselors Through New York Graduation Changes with SchoolTool and Xello

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:41:36 GMT

How Eastern Suffolk BOCES Modernized Legacy Assessment Reporting

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:30:00 GMT

How SCRIC Collected and Visualized DIBELS Data using Mindex Advanced Analytics

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:15:37 GMT

SCRIC (South Central Regional Information Center) supports 49 districts serving more than 47,000 students across New York State. When third-party grant funding ended, SCRIC needed a low-cost solution to help districts continue collecting and analyzing DIBELS data, a set of short assessments that measure early literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, reading fluency, and comprehension. These assessments provide critical insights to monitor student progress and guide instruction.

The Challenge

SCRIC needed a solution that could be implemented within just three months to ensure continuity in this vital work. Recognizing the need for a sustainable and cost-effective way to continue their district data initiatives after third-party grant funding ended, SCRIC sought a modern platform capable of collecting and visualizing DIBELS data across multiple student information systems (SIS). The platform also needed to support complex “leveling” algorithms, integrate diverse data sources, and be delivered within an ambitious three-month timeline.

The Solution

To meet these goals, SCRIC partnered with Mindex to leverage the Mindex Advanced Analytics platform, delivering powerful functionality while keeping costs low and ensuring districts could maintain continuity in their data-driven work.

Author Dashboards to Fit Your District's Needs

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:09:59 GMT

As a K–12 leader, you know that data is at the heart of student success, guiding everything from classroom strategies to districtwide initiatives.The challenge isn’t collecting more data; it’s making that information work harder for you.

When educators have access to meaningful, real-time insights, it changes everything. Trends become clearer, conversations more focused, and decisions more confident. From monitoring student progress to understanding schoolwide patterns, the right data presented in the right way helps every staff member feel more connected to your district’s goals.

The key to unlocking that potential lies in empowering educators to explore, visualize, and understand their data without waiting on someone else to build it for them. It’s time to move from static reports to dynamic, self-authored dashboards that put control directly in your team’s hands.

Want to see how it works? Watch our latest video, Empowering K-12 Leaders: Author Dashboards to Fit Your District’s Needs, and see how districts are creating their own dashboards to make data-driven decisions faster and with greater confidence.

Revolutionizing School Resource Collaboration: How NERIC and Mindex innovated cross-district course capacity sharing

SchoolTool — Tue, 06 May 2025 18:30:55 GMT

We’re excited to share that our team recently authored a guest article for the AWS Business Intelligence Blog! The piece highlights how NERIC and Mindex are transforming how schools across New York State collaborate by reimagining cross-district course capacity sharing with Amazon QuickSight.

Mindex's Role in Joining Forces' New Initiative to Support Military Children with Disabilities

SchoolTool — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 14:53:12 GMT

We're excited to share some incredible news! Mindex has been highlighted in a recent White House press release for our role in supporting military children with disabilities through a new initiative under Joining Forces, a program originally co-founded in 2011 by First Lady Michelle Obama and then-Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Since returning to the White House as First Lady in 2021, Dr. Jill Biden has continued to champion this important cause, building on the foundation laid nearly a decade earlier—a commitment that will carry on under the current Trump Administration and First Lady Melania Trump.

This initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Education (ED), tackles the critical issue of delays in transferring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) as military families move across school districts.

The Challenges Military Families Face

Military families face unique challenges when relocating, especially when it comes to ensuring their children with disabilities receive the education and support they need. One of the most significant obstacles is the transfer of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) between school districts and across state lines. Due to delays in transferring IEPs, military families often report waiting, on average, over 120 days—more than half of the school year—for their children to receive the necessary services at their new school. This gap in services can have a long-term impact on a child’s development and success. For military children, who may relocate as many as six to nine times during their K-12 education, these delays compound with each move, leaving them without essential support when they need it most.

Our Role in Project Unicorn's Moving with the Mission

Through our participation in Project Unicorn's Moving with the Mission, spearheaded by InnovateEDU, Mindex is among several education partners working to ensure seamless and secure transfers of special education data for military families. By contributing to this initiative, we are helping to develop the processes and infrastructure needed to make transferring IEPs between school districts more efficient, minimizing the disruption in education for military children. This effort includes piloting data transfers during the 2024-2025 school years, with the goal of making these transfers available to all school systems served by participating organizations by fall 2025.

Mindex at the White House Event

Advancing Standards-Based Grading (SBG) in New York State: How SchoolTool is Empowering Districts for Success

SchoolTool — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:17:11 GMT

What is Standards-Based Grading?

Standards-Based Grading (SBG) is gaining popularity across the United States as educators explore better ways to measure student learning. Unlike traditional grading systems, which often rely on averaging scores from assignments and tests, SBG focuses on how well students have mastered specific learning goals.

It’s important to note that New York State doesn’t have a statewide grading policy, so each school district sets its own rules. Based on our work with SchoolTool districts, we’ve observed a common approach to standards-based grading (SBG) that organizes student performance into four levels: Below Standard, Approaching Standard, Meets Standard, and Exceeds Standard.

This approach helps teachers see exactly what students have learned and where they may need additional help. It also makes it easier for educators to pinpoint learning gaps early on and offer feedback that helps students improve. By emphasizing growth and understanding over simply completing assignments, SBG encourages a mindset focused on continuous learning.

While grading systems alone don’t directly improve learning, methods like SBG provide valuable insights that can help teachers refine their practices and support student success. By prioritizing mastery over averages, SBG offers a more focused and effective approach to education that can complement existing grading methods.

Mindex Showcased at 2024 AWS re:Invent: Advanced Analytics in Action

SchoolTool — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:32:45 GMT

AWS re:Invent isn’t just a conference—it’s the global gathering for cloud computing professionals to learn, innovate, and connect. This year, Mindex was honored to be in the spotlight during Wednesday’s keynote, presented by Dr. Swami Sivasubramanian, VP of AI and Data at Amazon Web Services!

The two-hour session explored how a strong data foundation empowers organizations to craft innovative and differentiated solutions. Several customers and industry leaders shared real-world examples of how they leverage data—including generative AI—to drive powerful results. Within the EdTech space, AWS highlighted Mindex and our flagship product, SchoolTool, showcasing how its Advanced Analytics feature, powered by GenAI technology, helps school districts unlock valuable insights and improve student outcomes.

Breaking the Cycle: Understanding the Link Between Absenteeism and Discipline

SchoolTool — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:08:32 GMT

As the 2024–2025 school year unfolds, educators are grappling with the ongoing challenge of keeping students engaged and in the classroom. Chronic absenteeism and disciplinary issues don’t just coexist—they fuel one another, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.

In our summer blog post, "Chronic Absenteeism Soars to 26%—What's Behind the Spike?”, we discussed how chronic absenteeism reached unprecedented levels, with rates soaring as high as 26%, according to the American Enterprise Institute. Factors like economic stress, limited access to resources, mental health challenges, and heightened discipline problems contribute to this surge.

Building on that discussion, it becomes clear that absenteeism and disciplinary issues are deeply interconnected, each exacerbating the other. To break this cycle, schools must first understand how these factors interact. This post takes a closer look at the relationship between absenteeism and discipline and explores strategies to address these intertwined challenges.

Mindex Acquires ClearTrack and RTI Edge from BROOME-TIOGA BOCES

news@mindex.com (Mindex) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:45:14 GMT

Rochester, NY (New York) — Mindex, a leader in innovative software solutions for the K-12 education sector, is excited to announce the acquisition of ClearTrack and RTI Edge, powerful tools for Special Education (SPED) Management and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), from BROOME-TIOGA BOCES. This acquisition complements Mindex's existing portfolio, which includes SchoolTool®, Advanced Analytics™, and the Mindex Integration Platform™. The combined power of these products will provide Mindex customers with a fully integrated, seamless solution.

Chronic Absenteeism Soars to 26%- What's Behind the Spike?

SchoolTool — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 15:04:04 GMT

School Chronic Absenteeism: A Growing Concern

As summer unfolds and U.S. schools enjoy a well-deserved break after the 2023-2024 academic year, September is just around the corner, marking the start of a new school year. As we prepare for this upcoming school year, one of the top concerns that has emerged in recent years is the significant spike in school absenteeism. Recent district feedback and research highlight this issue, with absenteeism rates now reaching levels not seen in decades.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the rising trend of absenteeism in schools, explore its underlying causes, and offer insights into effective strategies and tools to address this pressing challenge.

SchoolTool New York State Updates: We've Got the Empire State Covered!

SchoolTool — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:47:58 GMT

In the ever-evolving landscape of New York State educational requirements, staying ahead means adapting quickly. At SchoolTool, we pride ourselves on being proactive in responding to changes in New York State's educational policies and reporting standards. In fact, our management system was designed specifically for New York State schools, so it’s our bread and butter.

With our latest release, 21.3-R3, we're excited to announce several updates tailored specifically to meet the needs of schools across the Empire State. Ready to dive in?

Science Investigations: Meeting New York State’s Latest Requirements for Elementary and Intermediate Levels

SchoolTool — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:45:00 GMT

As New York State requirements evolve, a student management system needs to quickly adapt to those changes. SchoolTool’s response time to implementing NYS changes is something we pride ourselves on because we understand the direct impact it has on a district’s efficiency and ease when it comes to reporting to the state. We want our teachers and administration to be able to focus their time and energy on student outcomes, not tending to SSEC code changes, data reporting errors, and other not-so-fun-but-critical time-consuming tedious tasks that feel like a constantly moving target.

With a dedicated focus on New York State(and being headquartered there as well), it’s no surprise SchoolTool is first to roll out updates to ensure compliance with NYS requirements, while other Student Management Systems may have a response time implementing New York State-specific mandates that is a bit… undesirable. To be honest, there’s A LOT to pay attention to and if changes are happening in states other than New York, it’s understandable why they are delayed. We just feel educators in New York shouldn’t be left waiting in line while a vendor’s focus is redirected elsewhere.

New York districts and schools deserve undivided attention. Bottom line.

Transforming Education through Advanced Analytics: Partnering with Saratoga Springs City School District

SchoolTool — Wed, 29 May 2024 13:58:07 GMT

At SchoolTool, our commitment extends far beyond simply providing software—we're deeply invested as dedicated partners in education. With a mission centered around collaboration and a customer-centric approach, we work hand-in-hand with our RIC partners and school districts to ensure the success of every student.

We're excited to share how we integrated Saratoga Springs City School District's feedback into our Advanced Analytics (built on Amazon Web Services), aligning with their district's data objectives. We also extend our thanks to them for participating in our pilot program, which was instrumental in shaping the development of our advanced analytics set to launch this summer.

Our secret is out! We’ve been beta testing GenAI tech before others could get their hands on it.

SchoolTool — Tue, 07 May 2024 18:15:59 GMT

AWS just recently announced the general availability of Amazon Q, an AI-powered assistant designed to accelerate software development and unlock data insights, and we had the honor of being one of only a couple companies worldwide to beta test AWS’ GenAI technology before it became available.

Your Feedback, Our Progress: SchoolTool Sales Team Hits the Road

SchoolTool — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:15:44 GMT

Our SchoolTool Sales Team has been actively engaging with educators and administrators across the state, showcasing our student management system designed specifically for the needs of New York State schools. In March alone, our team attended three key events: NYSCOSS, DATAG, and ASSET. These conferences not only provide us with valuable opportunities to connect with our customers but also serve as platforms for gathering crucial feedback to drive our roadmap and maintain our status as the #1 SMS in New York State.

SchoolTool Marks Milestone with 400th New York State School District Partnership

SchoolTool — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:36:45 GMT

SchoolTool, the leading student management system in New York State, proudly announces a significant milestone in its journey towards enhancing education in the state. The company has now partnered with its 400th school district, underscoring its status as the platform of choice for school districts across New York State.

Elevate Your Digital Defense: Why Teachers & Parents Should Implement MFA

SchoolTool — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:40:51 GMT

In an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for all sectors, including education. With the rising number of data breaches in K-12 schools and universities, it is evident that action needs to be taken to protect sensitive information. But how can teachers and parents strengthen their defenses against cyber threats?

Over the past decade, there have been over 2,691 data breaches in US K-12 schools and universities, compromising a staggering 32 million records. These breaches highlight the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures in educational institutions. Recognizing this, the US federal government's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has recently released a comprehensive report that addresses the pressing cybersecurity challenges faced by K-12 schools.

One of the report's key findings is the effectiveness of Multifactor Authentication (MFA) in curbing cybersecurity risks. Despite resource limitations, K-12 institutions can take strategic steps to enhance their defenses against evolving threats. MFA, a technical term that may sound intimidating, is actually a valuable tool for educators, parents, and school leaders alike. This article will explore the importance of MFA and how it can be implemented to protect sensitive data in educational settings.

ParentSquare Partners with Mindex (SchoolTool)

SchoolTool — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:40:11 GMT

ParentSquare Partners with Mindex (SchoolTool) to Bring Seamless Communication and Family Engagement to New York School Districts

ALL-RIC 2023 User Group Conference Highlights

SchoolTool — Tue, 16 May 2023 19:39:00 GMT

ALL-RIC Conference Highlights SchoolTool and RIC Partners' Collaborative Efforts

We just wrapped up an amazing two-day ALL-RIC conference! It was a fantastic chance to collaborate with RIC partners from all over the state and share the latest updates on SchoolTool - NY State's top K-12 Student Management System. We had many RIC partners join us in person in Rochester, NY, as well as virtually from all over the state.

Our conference kicked off with an awesome presentation from Michael Terzis, our VP of SchoolTool. He gave us a sneak peek of what's coming up for SchoolTool in the next year. We're super excited to keep investing in our product and our people. In fact, 75% of our teams have been focused on refactoring efforts over the past year. We can't wait to roll out some new features very soon and keep making SchoolTool the best it can be!

SchoolTool Achieves OneRoster® Certification

SchoolTool — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:43:00 GMT

Rochester, NY, April 28, 2023: Mindex, the creator of SchoolTool, proudly announces that SchoolTool has achieved the prestigious 1EdTech™ certification for OneRoster. This significant accomplishment demonstrates SchoolTool's unwavering dedication to providing innovative solutions and ensuring compatibility with the well-established OneRoster standard.

The OneRoster certification is a significant milestone for SchoolTool, unlocking new possibilities for districts by providing a streamlined and efficient workflow. With this certification, SchoolTool's SMS seamlessly integrates with other educational software applications adhering to the OneRoster standard. This compatibility enables districts to navigate platforms effortlessly and leverage a cohesive ecosystem of educational tools with data exchange.

"SchoolTool's OneRoster certification ensures that districts can trust SchoolTool integration with third-party vendors, as we have successfully met the rigorous 1EdTech standards for rostering and gradebooks. This provides confidence and peace of mind for districts seeking reliable and efficient solutions," states Eon Verrall, Director of Product at SchoolTool.

OneRoster is a standard developed by the IMS Global Learning Consortium, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing educational technology through the establishment of open standards. This standard provides a unified format for exchanging crucial student information, including enrollment data, course details, and grades, across diverse educational software applications.

Discover the power of OneRoster certification →

SchoolTool's OneRoster certification exemplifies the Mindex's unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and ensuring compatibility with other educational software applications used by school districts. With this notable achievement, Mindex is excellently positioned to continue serving its customers in New York State with the most advanced SMS available in the market.

Expanding possibilities as a Google for Education Build Partner

SchoolTool — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:44:00 GMT

Rochester, NY, April 25, 2023: Mindex, the creator of SchoolTool, a Student Management System for K-12 education in New York State, announced that they have become a Google for Education Build Partner. This partnership brings together two industry leaders in the education tech space and is a significant achievement for Mindex, as it demonstrates the company's commitment to enhancing the digital learning experience for educators and students across New York State.

The Google for Education Partner Program recognizes Partner technologies that complement and extend Google for Education products, and Google for Education Build is a program designed to help technology companies develop and deliver innovative solutions in the education technology space. Becoming a Build Partner is a significant milestone, as it means that Mindex has met Google's rigorous standards for technology development and has demonstrated a deep understanding of the needs and challenges facing educators and students today.

As technology continues to transform education, this partnership is a testament to the importance of innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering the best possible education for all students. As a Build Partner, Mindex will have access to Google's extensive resources and expertise, and offer fully vetted and approved integrations between SchoolTool with Google’s suite of educational tools, like Google Classroom. By working together, these two organizations will be able to collaborate and innovate upon SchoolTool to make it more effective, efficient, and engaging than ever before.

Mindex has a proven track record helping schools and districts streamline administrative tasks and optimize workflows, allowing educators to focus on teaching and engaging with students. With this partnership, educators and students can look forward to exciting new developments in the world of education technology, as Mindex continues to deliver a cutting-edge NYS Student Management System that empowers teachers, and promotes learning and student engagement.

As the education sector continues to evolve, the need for digital tools and solutions that meet the needs of educators and students has never been more apparent. The partnership between Mindex and Google for Education strives to enhance digital learning experiences, and improve academic outcomes for students across New York State.

Join Mindex and the SchoolTool team in preparing the next generation for their future.

SchoolTool Gradebook Upgrades: What's New & Improved

SchoolTool — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 10:00:00 GMT

We are super excited to reveal the newest SchoolTool gradebook features, designed by teachers for teachers! We've been listening to your feedback over the past few years, and these changes will make grading so much easier. Keep reading to find out what we're rolling out!

SchoolTool's April Roundup: Exciting Product Updates on the Horizon!

SchoolTool — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 17:51:00 GMT

We’re early in the month of April, and we want to share what the SchoolTool team has been up to—there are a lot of exciting things happening behind the curtain! Whether you're a current user or just curious about our Student Management System, you won't want to miss this update. So, let's dive in and see what's been going on!

SchoolTool Takes Data Analytics to the Next Level with AWS Data Lab

SchoolTool — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 19:21:00 GMT

In today's rapidly changing world, we know it is more important than ever to ensure that our education system is equipped to meet the needs of our teachers and students, and with the vast amount of student data generated, analytics is an essential tool for today's classrooms.

Here at SchoolTool, we know that the future of analytics in education is bright, with the potential to revolutionize how educators approach teaching, learning, and even make ever-changing state reporting a breeze! Something like predictive analytics that can identify struggling students before falling too far behind is already in reach. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the role of analytics in education, helping to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. With SchoolTool’s advanced analytics solutions, we can gain a deeper understanding of student performance & needs to make data-driven decisions that can improve outcomes for all.

SchoolTool's March Roundup: Conferences and Events Across the State

SchoolTool — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 17:34:00 GMT

The month of March has been a busy one, traveling across the state to seasonal conferences and events, gathering with our BOCES and RIC partners at User Group meetings, and combining forces with partners like Amazon Web Services (AWS) in a hackathon-type environment to take our SchoolTool Analytics and Dashboards to the next level!

Built for New Yorkers, by New Yorkers!

SchoolTool — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 18:29:00 GMT

One of the many advantages our SchoolTool Student Management System has, is that it’s an SMS built for New York State districts by a company headquartered in New York— Mindex! We also like to share the fact that we’re New Yorkers, too.