Overview
Version 12 is the latest major upgrade to the Focus system. All districts will complete this upgrade prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year. This article covers important changes for teachers.
Navigation Menu
The menu for teachers has been redesigned for improved usability. The new menu provides quick access to the programs teachers use the most, such as Take Attendance, Seating Chart, and Gradebook.
If you hover over any of the menu icons, the menu will open and the menu titles will appear. Menu items with an arrow can be clicked to expand the menu display.
Reports are now housed under the Reports section of the menu instead of their specific module menus.
Selecting a Student
You can now quickly select a student and view their record without conducting a search using the Select Student pull-down available at the top-left corner of every screen. The pull-down displays students from all of your active sections by default.
If you have conducted a recent search, the Search Results tab is selected by default. To use the filters and results of your last student search, leave the tab selected. For example, if you searched for students in the 11th grade, the results of that specific search will display in the Select Student pull-down when Search Results is selected. If a student search has not recently been conducted, the Search Results tab does not display.
Click the Search Results tab to remove the Search Results from your latest student search. Once, disabled, the tab turns gray.
Scroll through the listed students for the student you want, then click the student name to open the record in Student Info.
OR
Start typing the first name, last name, or student ID in the Filter... text box, then click the student name to open the record.
Once the student record is in open in Student Info, the pull-down reflects the selected student information along with these additional features:
- Hover over the student's photo to view additional student information.
- Click the blue envelope icon to message the student via the Communication screen.
- Hover over alert icons for additional information.
- Click the red and white X to close the student and navigate to the main Student Info screen where you can conduct a search or pick a new student from the Simple List.
- Click the left and right arrow to navigate to the previous (left) and next (right) student in the list.
- Click Back to Search Results to return the latest search results screen.
Communications
In version 12, Focus has combined all communication features into one new screen. The Communication screen allows teachers to compose messages and class announcements to select students and students within sections. Emails and Files can be attached to messages and announcements, as needed. Messages can also be scheduled to be sent at a later date or saved as a draft; all incoming and outgoing messages are also housed here.
Note: if your district has purchased the add-on SMS and Phone Call Out system those options may be enabled for teachers in communications as well.
For complete instructions on how to use the new Communications screen, see our Teacher Communication Section here.