Frequently Asked Questions About Attendly Platform

At Attendly, we know that finding the right after school management platform involves asking the right questions. Our FAQ section is designed to provide clear and concise answers to the most common inquiries we receive about Attendly, from its key features and integrations to data security and compliance. Whether you’re an IT professional, an Expanded Learning Director, or a Site Coordinator, you’ll find the information you need to make informed decisions about how Attendly can best support your district’s after school programs. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to our support team—we’re here to help.

General Platform FAQs

What onboarding and training does Attendly offer for new users?
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Attendly offers comprehensive onboarding and training to ensure that new users are comfortable and proficient with the platform. This includes personalized onboarding sessions, detailed documentation, video tutorials, and access to a dedicated support team to help users get the most out of the platform from day one.

How does Attendly support after school program management?
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Attendly supports after school program management by automating key processes such as registration, attendance tracking, and communication. The platform also provides real-time data insights and reporting, making it easier for administrators to monitor program performance and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, such as California’s ELO-P requirements.

How can Attendly be customized for different school districts?
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Attendly is highly customizable to meet the specific needs of individual school districts. Whether it’s configuring registration processes, setting up attendance tracking methods, or integrating with third-party tools, Attendly can be tailored to fit the unique requirements of your district, ensuring that the platform aligns perfectly with your operational needs.

What core features does Attendly provide?
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Attendly offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline after school program management. These include student registration management, real-time attendance tracking, automated parent communication, seamless data integration with Aeries SIS, and compliance reporting. These features work together to reduce administrative workload and enhance program efficiency.

Features & Functionality FAQs

How does the platform support state and federal reporting requirements?
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The platform is designed to include state and federal reporting requirements for expanded learning programs, including After School Education and Safety (ASES), 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC), and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P).

What types of reports can administrators generate?
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- Daily attendance rosters

- Program session information

- Aggregated measures such as attendance and session counts

- State and federal reporting requirements for ASES, 21st CCLC, and ELOP⁠

How does the platform facilitate communication between schools and parents?
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The Attendly platform provides parents with automatic confirmation of lottery results and program cancellation.

How does the attendance tracking system handle early releases or absences?
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Districts using Attendly use attendance early release codes. The California Education Code (EC) requires a Late Arrival and Early Release policy for After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) programs.

Can parents view their child's attendance record?
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No they cannot

Is there a difference in attendance tracking between districts?
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While all districts use digital attendance tracking, some have a specific requirement for a "Name to Face" process and need to run reports showing the staff-to-student ratio at any given time for any given program.

Can administrators generate attendance reports?
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Yes, administrators can generate attendance reports. Currently, these are available as CSV downloads, though we have an active project that will make the reporting more user-friendly and automated before the end of 2024.

How are attendance reports used?
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Attendance reports serve multiple purposes:

- They are used to gauge program success and make adjustments to program offerings between rotations⁠

- They form the basis for how vendors are paid for their services

⁠- They are crucial for state and federal reporting requirements⁠

How does attendance tracking affect program funding?
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Attendance tracking is critical for ELO-P funding. Funds are apportioned to school districts based on prior year classroom-based average daily attendance. Accurate attendance reports help ensure districts receive appropriate funding, which ranges from $2,052 to $2,750 per student per year.

How is student attendance recorded?
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The Attendly platform provides digital attendance tracking, often replacing the previous manual pen-and-paper and spreadsheet method. This digital system allows for more efficient and accurate attendance recording.

Are there differences in program selection between school year and summer programs?
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Currently all districts using Attendly offer school year and summer programs. The available programs and schedules may differ between these periods.

How does the system ensure students are only shown programs they're eligible for?
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The system limits program registration information to only those programs that are grade-appropriate and specific to the student's school location. Parents are only given access to program information relevant to their child/ren.

How are waitlists managed?
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If the district selects this, students who are not selected in the lottery are automatically placed on a waitlist. If a selected student is dropped from a program, the system will randomly select the next student from the waitlist to enroll in the program.

Can parents filter programs by grade level or schedule?
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Yes, parents can filter programs by grade level, days of the week programs are offered, and times programs are offered to make the program selection process easier.

How can parents view available programs?
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Parents can login into their districts Attendly system to view program offerings specific to their student's school location and grade level through the online registration portal.

What additional information do parents need to provide during registration?
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In addition to basic registration, parents may need to fill out school required forms and/or acknowlege district policies such as a parent handbook.

Is there a lottery system for program placement?
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If the school district decides this then there is an automated lottery system. Parents can register during an open registration period, after which the lottery is automatically run. Students are randomly selected based on capacity limits, with those not selected being placed on a waitlist.

Note: Some districts opt for registration is on a first-come, first-served basis for ELOP-eligible students.

How does the system ensure only eligible students can register?
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The system is designed to limit program registration information to only those programs that are grade-appropriate and school-specific for each student. Parents will only be given access to program information relevant to their children. The system ensures that only ELOP-eligible students can register, as determined by data from the district's Student Information System (e.g. Aeries).

Can parents register multiple children at once?
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Yes, parents can register multiple children with a few easy steps. This feature saves time for families with more than one child.

What languages are available for the registration process?
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The registration process is available in multiple languages. Attendly can filter between English, Spanish, and Vietnamese translations.

How do parents register their children for ELOP?
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Parents can register their children for after school programs online through a secure, mobile-friendly portal. This eliminates the need for paper registration forms, streamlining the process for both parents and administrators.

What reporting capabilities does Attendly offer?
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Attendly offers comprehensive reporting capabilities, including customizable reports for attendance, program participation, and compliance. The platform’s real-time data processing ensures that reports are accurate and up-to-date, helping districts meet state and federal requirements, including ELO-P funding guidelines, 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), and After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program.

How does Attendly handle student registration and enrollment?
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Attendly simplifies student registration and enrollment by automating key steps in the process. Administrators can configure registration forms, manage waitlists, and even run lotteries for oversubscribed programs. The platform also ensures that all student data is securely stored and easily accessible for future use.

Can Attendly manage multiple after school programs simultaneously?
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Yes, Attendly is designed to manage multiple after school programs simultaneously, even across different school sites within a district. The platform provides tools for overseeing various programs, tracking attendance, and managing registrations, all within a single interface. This centralization makes it easier for administrators to maintain consistency and efficiency across all programs.

How does Attendly’s real-time attendance tracking work?
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Attendly’s attendance tracking allows administrators to monitor student attendance. Data is captured and then made available across the platform, providing up-to-date insights for reporting and compliance. This ensures accuracy and helps districts meet attendance requirements for programs like California’s ELO-P, 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), and After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program.

Integrations and Compatibility FAQs

Can Attendly’s API be customized to meet specific district requirements?
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Absolutely. Attendly’s API is designed for flexibility, allowing your IT team to customize integrations based on your district’s unique needs. Whether you’re connecting with legacy systems or building custom applications, Attendly’s API can be adapted to fit your requirements.

How does Attendly handle data synchronization with other systems?
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Attendly uses real-time data synchronization to ensure that any updates made in one system are instantly reflected across all connected platforms. This process reduces the need for manual data entry and ensures data consistency, improving operational efficiency and accuracy.

What is the process for setting up integrations with Attendly?
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Setting up integrations with Attendly is straightforward. Our team provides comprehensive documentation and support to guide your IT staff through the process. Once the API credentials are configured, data synchronization occurs automatically, ensuring seamless operation across platforms.

Can Attendly integrate with other third-party tools our district uses?
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Yes, Attendly’s flexible API framework allows for integration with a wide range of third-party tools and systems commonly used by school districts. Whether you need to connect with financial software, communication platforms, or other educational tools, Attendly can be customized to fit your existing tech ecosystem.

How does Attendly integrate with Aeries SIS?
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Attendly integrates seamlessly with Aeries SIS through a robust API. This integration enables real-time data synchronization, ensuring that student information, attendance records, and other critical data are consistently updated across both platforms, reducing manual data entry and minimizing errors.

Security and Compliance FAQs

How does Attendly protect sensitive data from unauthorized access?
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Attendly uses role-based access controls and secure user authentication processes to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. This layered approach to security helps protect your district’s information from unauthorized access and potential breaches.

Does Attendly conduct regular security audits?
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Yes, Attendly performs regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities. These audits help us maintain the highest levels of data security and compliance, ensuring that your district’s information is always protected.

How does Attendly support compliance with specific funding-based requirements (e.g. ELO-P, 21st CCLC, ASES)?
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Attendly is designed to meet the specific compliance needs of California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), and After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program. The platform automates attendance tracking, data reporting, and deadline management, ensuring that your district consistently meets state funding requirements.

What measures does Attendly take to comply with FERPA and COPPA?
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Attendly adheres to strict FERPA and COPPA guidelines to safeguard student and parent information. This includes ensuring that data access is restricted to authorized personnel, encrypting sensitive data, and maintaining a transparent data handling process that complies with all relevant privacy laws.

Support and Onboarding FAQs

Can customers request new features or customizations through Attendly’s support?
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Attendly values customer feedback and regularly implements feature requests from them. Customers can submit feature requests or customization needs through via their dedicated point of contact (e.g. account manager). Our product team reviews these requests, and while not all requests can be immediately fulfilled, we prioritize those that align with the needs of multiple districts to help them achieve their goals.

How does Attendly provide training and resources for district staff?
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Attendly provides a variety of training options, including video tutorials, in-person and online training sessions. These resources are designed to accommodate different learning styles and schedules, ensuring that all staff members are comfortable using the platform. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive knowledge base with articles, guides, and FAQs for ongoing learning.

What ongoing support options are available to Attendly users?
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Attendly offers comprehensive ongoing support, including a dedicated customer success manager, access to a helpdesk, regular system updates, and a robust online knowledge base. Our support team is always available to assist with any questions or issues, ensuring that your district continues to get the most out of Attendly.

What ongoing support options are available to Attendly users?
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Attendly offers comprehensive ongoing support, including a dedicated customer success manager, access to a helpdesk, regular system updates, and a robust online knowledge base. Our support team is always available to assist with any questions or issues, ensuring that your district continues to get the most out of Attendly.

How quickly can a school district begin using Attendly after purchase?
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Most districts can begin using Attendly within 30 to 60 days after purchase, depending on the complexity of their setup. The timeline includes system configuration, data migration, and training. Our goal is to ensure that the platform is fully operational and meets all of your district’s requirements before going live.

What does the onboarding process with Attendly entail?
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The onboarding process with Attendly is designed to be smooth and efficient, ensuring your district is up and running quickly. It includes a detailed project plan, system setup, data migration, and staff training sessions. Our team works closely with your district to tailor the setup according to your specific needs, ensuring a seamless transition to the Attendly platform.

Ready to Enhance Your After School Program Management with Attendly?
Attendly is more than just a platform—it's a comprehensive solution designed to meet the unique needs of your school district. Whether you're ready to streamline your after school operations, enhance parent communication, or ensure seamless compliance, Attendly is here to help. Book a personalized demo today and discover how our platform can elevate your district’s after school programs.