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District staff recommend pilot of Empower Learning tracking tool for competency‑based instruction
Summary
After an RFP, staff recommended piloting Empower Learning as a proficiency tracking tool with about 100 early‑adopter teachers and a small group of students; the vendor offers renewals and district customization.
Lee's Summit R‑VII staff told the Finance Committee on April 14 they recommend piloting Empower Learning, a student‑proficiency tracking tool designed to support personalized, competency‑based instruction.
Dr. Janeway presented the item and said the district issued an RFP in September 2024 for a tracking tool and received two responses. A cross‑functional 12‑person review team evaluated both vendors and recommended Empower Learning because reviewers judged its approach the most closely aligned with the district's PCBL (personalized competency‑based learning) plans. Janeway said the vendor is in use in other districts that have advanced PCBL implementations.
The staff recommendation is to start small: roughly 100 teachers (early adopters) and a limited number of students, with the contract offering options to renew in up to three single‑year extensions. Janeway said the vendor's chief executive has been personally involved in product alignment and that the district would work closely with the vendor to configure the system for LSR‑7 needs. She emphasized the choice is to pilot, not to require district‑wide rollout immediately.
Committee members asked about procurement, data integration and cost. Janeway said the tool is intended to complement the district curriculum work (more than 200 proficiency scales written for phase‑one courses) and integrates with the district's systems; specific contract financial details were discussed in the board packet but not read into the record at length during the meeting.
Next steps: staff proposed a limited pilot, vendor configuration with district staff, and return reporting to the committee on pilot outcomes before any broader purchase or expansion.
Ending: The committee heard the recommendation and will consider the pilot plan and contract at the appropriate board meeting; staff will return with implementation specifics and a pilot timeline.
