I've updated the script to get it to load the metadata defaults for grade value. This is in addition to the loading of existing grade values. This overcomes the problem where we have to edit one student to put in a grade value we want, before we can reset the rest of the grade.

For example, we want to change the grade value for kindergarten from ECS to K. The 'K' value is already in the metadata configuration (so you will get that choice when editing an individual student record). However, since the ResetGrade script previously only pulled in existing grade values, you would have to edit a single student to add the K grade value. You could then use the ResetGrades script to reset the rest to a K value from ECS value. With this update, it will already have this value (if defined in the default values for the grade).

This update will come out with the OA 6.75 release (RSN). I am continuing work with several other things related to provincial and federal data synchronization.

I've gotten past security certificate problems to be able to start work on the solving the problem of having OA (Open Admin) communicating with the Alberta Education provincial system to exchange student school enrollments, demographics, etc. The PASI system is a Microsoft .NET webservice technology product. This will also require the addition of an Audit System to OA.

I'm also continuing work on the AANDC First Nations Nominal Roll for Sept/2012 deployment by the Federal dept.

I've been busy working on XML transfers of various kinds. Currently I'm working on the transfers that First Nations schools in Canada have to make to their funding agency, the federal government dept AANDC. Currently I'm working on the nominal roll scripting to register students in First Nations schools. I will release the 6.75 version at the end of January, with some updates. I will have to continue with documentation, since I haven't done a lot of work over the Christmas season on documentation.

I've been wrapping my brains around some of the issues involved with the Quebec transfers from schools to provincial education (and other authorities). There are 2 system (en Francais) MELS and Charlemagne. They take a different xml file format (with some similarities) that is encrypted and digitally signed using PGP. I'm also doing some work on the cryptography needed to access the Alberta provincial system (called PASI) and built on Microsoft technology. I have some other things I'm also working on and thinking about. One is the setup for timetabling when assigning courses, etc. We will need a flexible scripting approach to that. More to follow on that.

British pattern schools call grades 7-11 'Forms' rather than grades. To help mitigate this problem in OA, I'm suggesting
the use of a new variable (to get around large amounts of 'hacking' in scripts).

The new Variable: g_GradeToForm
This new variable will enable us to translate from student grade to student form.

If this is populated (has a value) it will be used (where supported by scripts).
We will start with report card and gradually propagate to other scripts.

It will be a hash variable (aka associative array), such that
g_GradeToForm{ grade } gives 'form'.
For example: g_GradeToForm{7} = 1.
More Fully: %g_GradeToForm = (7 => 1, 8 => 2, 9 => 3, etc )

Opinions?

I'll be working on documentation this month along with other XML work both for Quebec provincial exports as well as support for the upcoming INAC/AANDC Education Information System (EIS) for First Nations schools here in Canada. The latter 2 will be ongoing from now until March or later (until complete).

A variety of report card scripts (mainly reports) are now in the updates area for 6.50. They are rewritten to add support for subject supression and additionalcomments skipping. Other updates were done at the same time.