FAQ

What is the difference between an Instructional and Administrative review?

• Instructional solutions are intended for use by Staff and/or Students for Instructional purposes (ex: instructional websites, Chrome extensions, Chromebook apps, lab desktop applications). These solutions are reviewed using the Instructional Review process and typically initiate from an IFT or by contacting Kayla Urban.

• Administrative solutions are intended for use solely by Staff for non-instructional purposes (ex: new bus routing solution, athletics ticketing system, or cafeteria management solution). These solutions are not instructional in nature and are reviewed using the Administrative Review process. Administrative reviews can be submitted directly by administrative staff by visiting https://onboard.lcps.org and clicking on “Administrative Solution Review”.

What happens during a review?

Once an OnBoard review begins, teams from the Department of Digital Innovation and the Department of Teaching and Learning work collaboratively to evaluate the solution. Instructional reviews are performed by 6 teams: Data Privacy, Information Security, Educational Technology, Communications Engineering, Endpoint Management, and Assistive Technology.  Administrative reviews are performed by 4 teams: Data Privacy, Information Security, Communications Engineering, and Endpoint Management.

Teams answer a series of questions about the solution. Some of these questions are deemed critical and may result in the denial of a solution.  If any team denies their review section, the review stops, and the submitter is contacted via email with the results and a PDF copy of the review document. Should the reason for the denial be addressed by the submitter or vendor, the review can be reopened. Denied solutions may result in any supporting websites or services being blocked on LCPS devices and the LCPS network.

If all teams approve the solution, the submitter is contacted via email with the results and a PDF copy of the review document. Guidance will be provided to open a Service Request in the LCPS Support Center to continue implementation of the solution. The PDF should be attached to the Service Request as proof of the approval.

How long does a review typically take?

Reviews are categorized into four priority levels. 

Estimated time for completion:

• Administrative: 2 weeks

• Instructional Priority 1 (P1): 2 weeks

• Instructional Priority 2 (P2): 4 weeks

• Instructional Priority 3 (P3): 6-8 weeks

Can I use an Instructional solution while it's being reviewed?

LCPS recommends that teachers use solutions with students that have been reviewed via the Onboard process. If you have a specific instructional need you are trying to address, talk to your school’s Instructional Facilitator for Technology. They can help you identify supported tools (or tools that have already been reviewed) that can meet your needs. 

If I have questions about a review, who do I contact?

For Instructional reviews, work with your school-based IFT or contact Kayla Urban.

For Administrative reviews, contact Michael Wright.

What do I do with my completed review?

If your review is denied, you will be contacted via email with the results and a PDF copy of the review document. Should the reason for the denial be addressed by you or the vendor, the review can be reopened. Denied solutions may result in any supporting websites or services being blocked on LCPS devices and the LCPS network.

If all teams approve the solution, you will be contacted via email with the results and a PDF copy of the review document. Guidance will be provided to open a Service Request in the LCPS Support Center to continue implementation of the solution. The PDF should be attached to the Service Request as proof of the approval. When creating the Service Request, make the title of the request "OnBoard Implementation" to ensure your request is routed appropriately.

When do I need to request parental consent for a student to use a solution?

Suppose students log into an application, manually entering usernames and passwords that identify them, or where the application is creating education records, and the application is not being auto-rostered/signed on at the district level. In that case, PARENTAL CONSENT IS REQUIRED before use. This will be noted in the completed OnBoard review and the Ed Tech Catalog (accessed through LCPSGO). Permission forms can be created using templates available in Permission Click.  

If students are logging into an application where they are manually entering usernames and passwords that identify them, or where the application is creating education records, and the application is not being auto-rostered/sign on at the district level, then PARENTAL CONSENT IS REQUIRED before use. This will be noted in the completed OnBoard review as well as in the Ed Tech Catalog (accessed through LCPSGO). Permission forms can be created using templates available in Permission Click.