Term/Semester Transitions: FAQs

Here are four common scenarios for term and semester transitions. Don’t see your situation here? Contact School Loop Support.

1. I teach a yearlong course with the same section of students.
   Example: I teach English Honors all year long to the same group of students.
   
   
2. I teach the same course that is only one semester long. I will be teaching the same course but to a new section of students next semester.
   Example: I teach a one semester course titled Introduction to Computers. The course content remains the same every semester but I have a new section of students each semester.
   
   
3. I teach a different course every semester.
   Example: I teach a one semester Economics course in the Fall and then teach a one semester Government course in the Spring. The roster of students is different for each section.
   
   
4. I teach the same group of students every other term.
   Example: I teach an Algebra block class where my students for Term 1 and 3 are the same and I have another section of students in the same course for Term 2 and 4.

1. I teach a yearlong course with the same section of students.

Example: I teach English Honors all year long to the same group of students.

Common Questions

Q: Can I add a new gradebook for the new semester or term?

A: You may add a new gradebook to your Course Center.

Q: How do students and parents see their progress reports from the fall semester and the current progress report for spring semester?

A: If you have multiple gradebooks for your Course Center, students and parents can view progress reports for all of the gradebooks. They will have a drop down menu that allows them to select progress reports from different gradebooks.

2. I teach the same course that is only one semester long. I will be teaching the same course but to a new section of students next semester.

Example: I teach a one semester course titled Introduction to Computers. The course content remains the same every semester but I have a new section of students each semester.

Common Questions

Q: Should my new section of students be in a new Course Center or should they be in the existing Course Center from the previous semester?

A: There is no right or wrong way with where you place this new section of students. The choice is yours and it depends on what information you would like your students to see.

By having the new section of students in the existing Course Center, students

• have access to the existing course locker contents
• can see the previously assigned work in the course calendar
• have access to the previously assigned work since the course calendar is the same
• have access to the Course Notes from the previous semester

While most teachers find this useful for students, some teachers prefer a fresh start with no access to previously posted work. If this is the case for you, you want to make sure your new section of students is in a new Course Center. We highly recommend changing your Course Center titles to reflect the term or semester so it is not confusing to you or your students. (Example: Intro to Computers, Fall and Introduction to Computers, Spring.)

If you do not have a new Course Center and would like one, please contact School Loop Support with the name of the desired Course Center and one will be created for you.

Q: I don’t mind having my new section of students in the existing Course Center from last semester. However, how do I create a new gradebook for this semester?

A: You can create a new gradebook with the start date of the new semester.

3. I teach a different course every semester.

Example: I teach a one semester Economics course in the Fall and then teach a one semester Government course in the Spring. The roster of students is different for each section.

Common Questions

Q: I would like a separate Course Center for my new course.

A: If School Loop did not automatically create a new Course Center for your new course, please contact School Loop Support with the desired name of the new Course Center. One will be created for you right away.

In almost all cases, a brand new course will have a new Course Center automatically created. With some schools, this may not happen due to how the data related to the course is presented.

4. I teach the same group of students every other term.

Example: I teach an Algebra block class where my students for Term 1 and 3 are the same and I have another section of students in the same course for Term 2 and 4.

Common Questions

Q: I created two Course Centers, one for Term 1 & 3 and another for Term 2 & 4. How do I get my section of Term 3 students into the related Course Center for Term 1& 3?

A: Using the Section Manager, you can move any section of students into any Course Center.

Q: Can I create a new gradebook for Term 3?

A: You can. You just want to make sure the start date of new gradebook is the same as the day your Term 3 started.