KU receives grant to study student information systems

Kansas University is looking to see whether the software that public schools use to track student information is being used effectively.

The university announced in a release Wednesday that it has received a grant to look at student information systems. Schools have begun using this software to track student attendance, grades and disciplinary notes to help keep parents and administrators apprised of day-to-day changes.

Sociology professor Bill Staples said the study will try to determine whether the use of the systems leads to better educational outcomes for students. He said students may react to the systems with decreased trust in educational settings because they feel they are being watched too closely.

The study will be funded by a grant from the Spencer Foundation in Chicago.