A parent of a high school student comes home from work late in the evening. Juggling a busy schedule of job and housework, she has little time in the evenings for bonding with her child. The parent tries to ask about the child's day and gets a typical response: "Fine."

After the child goes to bed for the night, the curious parent goes onto the computer to see if there is more going on than the child will regularly talk about, such as assignments, test grades or even what he had for lunch.

Education software that allows parents to keep a closer eye on their students is a new trend in the educational technology realm, according to Southington School Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi Jr.

"It's just a terrific way to keep parents as partners," Erardi said. "It confirms the partnership between parents and schools and teachers. That is where all of your leading education software technology will be leading."

The ability to get this information is not the main reason school systems are using the software, but is a byproduct that parents, school staff and even students are happy about.

Many teachers in area schools have already been using a form of electronic grade book, but one of the older programs is having its technical support eliminated at the end of the year, forcing school districts to consider switching to a different system.

Meriden, Cheshire and Southington are all dedicated to making the switch to the newer version of the software, called PowerSchool. The new version comes with several new features, including the ability for students and parents to access their information through the Internet.

Meriden schools began using PowerSchool last school year. It allows students and parents to access grades, assignments and attendance through a Parent Portal on the school Web site. The grades and attendance are updated in real time, as soon as teachers make the change at the school.

Cheshire schools adopted the same software at the beginning of this school year, Southington plans to start using it in January, and Wallingford is debating using similar software during the next school year.

Many parents outside Platt High School in Meriden on Thursday afternoon, such as Karen Rodriguez and Glenda Perez, were not aware of the ability to check grades, but think it is a great idea.

"I think it's a good idea to be able to check in on the students," Rodriguez said as she waited for her freshman daughter, Mia Rodriguez, to get done with school for the day.

Students liked the software as a way for them to keep track of their assignments so they are not in for a surprise later.

"I go on it every day to make sure my grades are up to par," Platt senior Jon Bentes said.

Platt junior Marissa Flis said she really likes being able to keep track of grades and her absences.

"I love it. It's so convenient and you do much better in school because you can check assignments," Flis said.

Bentes said his parents do not really use the software to check his grades, but Flis said her parents do - and she has no problem with that.

"It's fine, because then she can keep on me," Flis said. "Plus, I get rewarded for good grades."

Cheshire Superintendent Greg Florio said his school system just implemented the software at the beginning of the school year and has received limited feedback on it. But he agreed with Erardi that the trend in educational software seems to be for more online access.

"I think it is a trend in just about everything now. The whole online access thing - college students already have very open access to information online. I think it is a sign of the times and probably will continue," Florio said. "Certainly those of us with children, it would have made my life easier. I think the ease of access is going to be better for everybody. The concept is something we would have loved to have done 20 years ago. It's kind of an evolution of the classic report cards."

Wallingford Superintendent Salvatore Menzo said his district has been discussing switching over to similar software, but would not have it available until next school year at the earliest.

As with Southington, Florio said one of the bigger reasons for the switch was because the electronic grade book software used by teachers was going to have the technical support eliminated.

Southington is also phasing in new technology that will allow parents to prepay for school lunches through the Internet, using a credit card. Parents can check the balance to see what types of food were purchased on the account, giving them more information about their children.

"I think it's great accountability. Students will know mom or dad has access to that information and parents can ask questions about their child's progress, if they need to, sooner rather than later," Erardi said. "It almost takes it a step beyond and it creates a connection that allows parents to communicate in a way that works best for them."

rrathsack@record-journal.com

(203) 317-2227