Lumen Touch Blog

Improving the learning opportunities for children

K-12 Schools Save Money and Time with Lumen Touch

Posted on February 5, 2024 by lumentouchblog

Most schools understand the need for an all-in-one student information system (SIS) to help manage their districts, but K-12 schools can also save money and time with Lumen Touch, an all-in-one enterprise management system designed to alleviate the stress of multiple moving parts while adding sophisticated protection for your data.

Security Is a Top Priority at Lumen Touch

K-12 schools are quickly becoming a top target for cyber criminals. There are many reasons for this:

Many schools don’t have the budget for an extensive IT department, nor do they have the financial resources to invest enough in cybersecurity.
Sharing copious amounts of data with third parties makes K-12 schools more vulnerable.
The data that schools are required to store and maintain can be a gold mine to the cyber criminal who manages to breach their network security.

Lumen Touch Is a Custom-Built, Customizable Solution

Most of the current student information systems on the market are antiquated and outdated, and the architects of these systems are busy buying up competition to make their systems complete. Lumen Touch is a custom-built management system that can be customized to the needs of any school district, regardless of size. We often work directly with schools to determine the needs they have and better customize what we offer to meet those specific needs.

What Does All-in-One Really Mean?

For school districts managing diverse populations of K-12 students throughout their education path, an all-in-one management system means having access to real-time decision-making data on any area, from demographics and discipline to attendance and health. The Lumen Touch all-in-one enterprise management system is a one-stop solution for everything a K-12 school district requires:

Demographics
Scheduling
Attendance management
Enrollment
Online registration
Nutritional services
Curriculum and learning management
Customizable report cards
Instructor suite
Gradebook
Seating charts
Notification console
Discipline
Transportation
Fees, fines, and online payment management
Health and wellness management
Locker management
State reporting
Performance management
Student and parent portals
Course enrollment
Activity and assignment completion
View grades and schedules
Special education management
IEP, 504, and evaluations
Library management
eBook library
Inventory management
District and school data dashboards
Immunization management
Behavioral and dental health
Texting and telephony

Don’t Take Our Word for It

Here is what our schools are saying about us:

Not many companies can boast about having a single-platform solution like Lumen Touch that responds to the customer and market demands, that decreases the cost of a comprehensive digital platform in a time of financial crisis and provides the security in a world of cyber insecurity.
Rob Landers, Director of Technology
The School District of Washington, Washington, MO

We have had audits in the past and the Lumen Touch results exceeded anything we have gotten from similar services, due to a specialized process they created for school districts. It was easy for our team to provide the information since they only needed one month of bills to perform the assessment. This assessment saved our district big money and is allowing us to maximize our existing carrier relationships.
Joe Fives, Director of Technology (Ret.)
Kansas City Public Schools, Kansas City, MO

With Lumen Touch, you now have the opportunity to track your students from early childhood through high school with one system. This total offering brings many advantages, including tremendous cost- and time-saving efficiencies while allowing students and teachers to embrace technology and accelerate learning trajectory. Learn more

Future-Proof Your School

Posted on January 18, 2024 by lumentouchblog

While the future in general is uncertain, all indications point to technology being at the forefront of virtually every innovative development. This is true for industries, at home, and certainly in our schools. From edtech solutions that deliver school curriculums, to AI and VR, which bring students a more engaging learning experience, technology is playing a key role. But it’s not just the classroom that is being transformed by technology; it’s every aspect of the educational process. Here are ways an enterprise management solution can help future-proof your district and better navigate the future of education.

Future-Proof Communication

Technology has significantly improved communication. Not only is it much easier to engage with parents and keep them up to date on their children’s progress, but technology has revolutionized a district’s ability to elevate parent engagement quickly and efficiently. Communication portals have given parents, teachers, and administrators one-click access to a plethora of pertinent data. This technology makes it far easier to manage the health and welfare of students by providing a secure repository for health information, such as allergies, that can be shared with classroom teachers to avoid potentially catastrophic mishaps. Vaccinations, record transfers, and financial information, such as registration fees and school lunch costs, can also be managed with comprehensive recordkeeping solutions. The amount of time that has been saved by shifting to comprehensive communication technology is immeasurable.

Future-Proof Compliance

Districts are responsible for many different layers of compliance related to student data and adherence to reporting requirements for SPED. An enterprise management solution helps teachers and administrators quickly and easily meet compliance requirements and maintain meticulous records, avoiding fines and audits.

Future-Proof Retention

The idea that a teacher’s job is never done was never meant to imply that they should have an 80-hour work week and basically a full-time job outside of the classroom. An enterprise management solution helps schools and teachers manage administrative tasks more efficiently, including assignment tracking, assessments, and grading. Reducing the burden on teachers and investing in technology that not only makes their jobs easier but allows them to spend more time actually doing the job they love – teaching – instead of entering and transferring grades and filling out time-consuming reports, results in measurable improvements in retention.

Future-Proof School Administrative Costs

An all-in-one enterprise management solution not only provides a better classroom experience for students but it also helps improve communication, compliance, and teacher retention, as well. What’s more, the investment in an all-in-one school system can save districts money and time.

Lumen Touch’s all-in-one enterprise management solution goes beyond the capabilities of typical student information systems. Our all-in-one solution is unparalleled in the education arena. Experience a seamless technological solution that will save you time and money and allow your students and teachers to focus on improving their wellbeing. Request more information by emailing us at sales@lumentouch.com.

Navigating the Future of Education: Trends and Challenges

Posted on December 18, 2023 by lumentouchblog

Navigating the future of education requires a solid understanding of emerging trends and challenges facing educators, administrators, and school IT leaders. We’re expecting a continued rise in remote learning, a deeper push for more personalized learning paths, and more sophisticated integration of technology in the classroom. These trends present many exciting opportunities for the future of education. But they are not without their share of challenges.

Remote Learning Revolution

The pandemic initiated a seismic shift in remote learning that has continued to transform education into a dynamic, accessible landscape. The rise of virtual classrooms not only helped schools find ways to weather global disruptions but also opened new doors to inclusivity and provided much more flexibility for learners. As educators continue to harness the power of online platforms, students can now access quality education from virtually anywhere, transcending geographical boundaries. Even students attending physical classes have the opportunity to expand their learning through virtual courses digitally transmitted to their schools, in addition to CTE programs that help with career readiness.

Personalized Learning Paths

Individualized learning is widely accepted in special education, but the truth is that no two students are identical in terms of how they learn or what motivates them to learn. The push for personalized learning recognizes and celebrates this diversity. More and more, educational institutions are tailoring curricula to meet individual needs, fostering a learning environment in which students can progress at their own pace. Adaptive technologies, data analytics, and interactive content empower educators to create customized learning paths, nurturing a more engaging and effective educational experience.

Tech Integration in Classrooms

Technology has quite literally, seemingly overnight, transformed the learning environment. From interactive whiteboards and educational apps to virtual reality in the classroom, technology is enhancing the learning process. The goal of technology, however, is not to replace traditional teaching methods. New technologies augment instruction, creating a symbiotic relationship between human interaction and technological innovation that frees educators to focus on improved engagement with students.

The Future of Education: The Challenge of Opportunity

While these trends in education are exciting, they also pose challenges to educators, administrators, and school IT leaders. Educators must find ways to integrate technology into lessons without inhibiting the student connection that is essential to their educational experience. Administrators must ensure equitable access to technology and address the potential pitfalls of overreliance on virtual platforms. School IT leaders are charged with protecting personally identifiable information (PII) and must consider new and innovative ways to manage data.

The adoption of an all-in-one enterprise management solution (EMS) is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity for modern educational institutions. From streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing communication, improving data security, and providing valuable insights, your EMS can support student success and lead to better outcomes.

Lumen Touch’s enterprise management solution goes beyond the capabilities of typical student information systems. Our all-in-one solution is unparalleled in the education arena. Experience a seamless technological solution that will save you time and money and allow your students and teachers to focus on improving their wellbeing. Request more information by emailing us at sales@lumentouch.com.

The Importance of an All-in-One Student Enterprise Management System in Modern Education

Posted on November 13, 2023 by lumentouchblog

The educational landscape is constantly evolving. As schools embrace technology to streamline operations and enhance the learning experience, an all-in-one enterprise management system becomes increasingly essential. This article explores the reasons why schools need an enterprise management system (EMS) to meet the demands of modern education – and why Lumen Touch’s all-in-one enterprise management system is the right choice for your school. Far more than an SIS, we deliver schools measurable cost savings, access to deep insights for better decision making, and efficiencies you simply cannot get with other solutions.

Centralized Data Management

An all-in-one enterprise management system serves as a centralized repository for student data, bringing together an abundance of information, such as enrollment and attendance records, grades, and personal details. This centralization simplifies data management and ensures accuracy, reducing administrative overhead, minimizing data entry errors, and enhancing efficiency.

Improved Communication

Effective communication is vital in the educational ecosystem. The communication module included in an all-in-one EMS enables schools to interact with parents, students, and teachers more effectively. Features like parent portals, messaging systems, and event calendars foster collaboration, keeping stakeholders informed about important updates, events, and student progress.

Enhanced Student Tracking

Tracking student progress is a fundamental aspect of classroom administration. With an all-in-one EMS, educators can monitor attendance, grades, and academic performance. An enterprise management system increases efficiency, reduces costs, and helps make decision making easier and more informed. This data is invaluable for identifying students who may need additional support or enrichment.

Customizable Solutions

All-in-one EMS can be customized to fit the specific needs of any district. This adaptability ensures that schools can modify their system to accommodate changing educational standards and evolving teaching methods.

Data Security

Protecting sensitive student information is paramount. An all-in-one system includes robust security features to safeguard data from unauthorized access and data breaches. These systems often adhere to industry standards and regulations, helping schools maintain security compliance.

Parental Engagement

Parental involvement in a child’s education is a key factor in their academic success. An all-in-one EMS facilitates parental engagement by providing easy access to student data, schedules, and communication tools, fostering a stronger partnership between schools and parents and ensuring that students receive the support they need.

Regulatory Compliance

K-12 districts are subject to various local, state, and federal regulations. An all-in-one SIS can help schools remain compliant with these regulations by automating reporting and ensuring that data is accurate and up to date. This is particularly important for schools receiving government funding.

The adoption of an all-in-one EMS is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity for modern educational institutions. From streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing communication, improving data security, and providing valuable insights, your EMS supports student success and leads to better outcomes.

Lumen Touch’s enterprise management solution goes beyond simple SIS capabilities. Our all-in-one solution is unparalleled in the education arena. Experience a seamless technological solution that will save you time and money and allow your students and teachers to focus on improving their wellbeing. Request more information by emailing us at sales@lumentouch.com.

Securing Our Digital Future: A Guide to Cybersecurity for Schools

Posted on October 12, 2023 by lumentouchblog

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and while the importance of cybersecurity is taken quite seriously in business, financial, and healthcare industries, it is often overlooked in K-12. Yet K-12 schools are now the number-one target for cybercriminals.

Cybersecurity Threats in Educational Environments

Phishing, data breaches, and ransomware are the most common threats to K-12 schools. When a school is compromised by a cyberattack, the incident not only wreaks havoc with the school’s ability to deliver curriculum, but the cost of paying ransoms, managing downtime, and recovering data can be significant. A cyberattack also can result in a lack of trust in the school from parents and the community.

Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity in K-12 Schools

K-12 schools can take several actions to ensure that they are doing everything necessary to protect sensitive student information. This includes:

Establishing clear cybersecurity policies
Conducting risk assessments
Encrypting data
Restricting access to data
Providing ongoing awareness training
Initiating regular patch management practices
Implementing firewall, antivirus protection, and threat detection systems
Ensuring comprehensive backup-and-recovery planning
Conducting audits
Budgeting adequately for necessary cybersecurity measures
Requiring any third party to meet the same rigorous requirements

Everyone Plays a Role

The number and complexity of attacks against schools is on the rise. Every school district has a responsibility to help educate students, staff, and parents about cybersecurity and to put policies and procedures in place that help protect them. Because of the personally identifiable information (PII) that schools are required to maintain, schools will continue to be a target; so, the only way to prevent attacks that threaten data privacy is to ensure everyone knows how to recognize phishing emails, how to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), and how to report suspicious activity.

Let Lumen Touch Help Secure Your School

In order to know where you need to make improvements to your cybersecurity strategy, you need to know where your weaknesses are. That’s why Lumen Touch is offering a security audit service for schools: Bright LITE™.

Our customized service offering provides individuals and organizations with the information and education necessary to efficiently evaluate both the risks and opportunities they face. Email sales@lumentouch.com to schedule your audit.

Why Do Schools Choose Lumen Touch?

Posted on September 13, 2023 by lumentouchblog

There are several all-in-one school systems from which school districts can choose, but time and again, schools choose Lumen Touch. Here are a few reasons why:

“Our district has used Lumen since 2006. I have held several different roles within our district and have utilized many areas within the Lumen SIS system. The Lumen team has always provided exceptional support. Their staff is knowledgeable not only about their SIS system, but also in areas important to the educational system. It has always been comforting to know they are in constant communication with the State Department and are informed and prepared for the ever changing world of education. Lumen works in partnership with the districts utilizing their program–making the program better and better as the years progress. Keeping the system user friendly while reporting data in an efficient and practical manner makes the program one of the best.”
-Dayna Barber, Cassville R-IV School District

Ongoing Support

When you choose Lumen Touch as your all-in-one school system, our team becomes part of your team. We work closely with your staff to provide intensive training and on-site support, consistently working to make platform updates that your school will find valuable.

“As we evaluated SIS vendors, we knew that it was going to be a chore no matter who was selected. All the systems were great, but we felt Lumen Touch listened and heard us on our district needs. Through the implementation process, the more we learned about the system the more we appreciated how much it has to offer our teachers, students, and community. Our connection with their entire team made us feel like a valued partner from the start. We have shared our experience with other districts recently in user groups. We’d encourage a district exploring other options to make sure Lumen Touch is one that you look at.”
-Debbie Hulsey, Sullivan School District

Limitless Resources for Teachers

Lumen Touch’s Bright RESOURCE integrated library system works seamlessly with your learning management system to manage resources for students and staff. Accessible by PC, MAC, laptop, desktop, iPad, or other tablet, we can facilitate a quick and easy conversion from your existing library system, complete with an inventory management system that allows districts to create lists, scan items, generate reports, manage library fees for overdue books, and manage other items the library may lend out, including equipment, electronics, and supplies.

From the ability to look up books from home to the circulation desk features, this all-encompassing tool has been a real asset to our district. We have used an automated circulation system for years but could not afford the new product – along came Lumen with an integrated library system that works seamlessly with our current Lumen Student Management system. Lumen converted our current records in one day and had us up and running with our entire inventory intact. We also asked for specific searches and criteria in the system and Lumen added those features to ensure the data tracking and sorting we needed.
Kim Sheese, Mercer Co., Illinois

Continuous Improvement

At Lumen Touch, we’re never satisfied. We are always striving to find ways to provide more to our districts, whether it’s a new service, enhancements to existing modules, or customizations that make the system even more effective.

I would like to say that Lumen has been a lifesaver for the Fair Grove District. We switched to Lumen from another vendor at the end of the first semester several years ago due to issues with that vendor. I believe Lumen is the best student information system available. They do not accept the status quo; they listen to school district needs and desires and are always looking for ways to provide enhancements they believe will benefit school districts. When you need help immediately, there is always a voice on the other end to assist you. Once, when I had an urgent need, I watched three programmers log into our system to solve the issue; all I can say is WOW. That personal, and professional, touch won me over as a lifetime user of Lumen. I guess you could say I am one of their biggest cheerleaders. Thanks, Lumen, for an awesome system and service.
Julie Swadley, Instructional Technology Specialist, Fair Grove R-X School District

We Save Schools Time and Money

In every case study we have conducted, school districts that have switched to Lumen Touch have saved tens of thousands of dollars. In some cases, our included audits have saved districts hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Not many companies can boast about having a single-platform solution like Lumen Touch that responds to the customer and market demands, that decreases the cost of a comprehensive digital platform in a time of financial crisis and provides the security in a world of cyber insecurity.”
-Rob Landers, The School District of Washington

Lumen Touch Supports Teacher Work-Life Balance

Posted on August 16, 2023 by lumentouchblog

Demands on teachers over the past few years have grown to insurmountable levels, causing many to reconsider their career choices. According to NPR, there are 300,000 open positions for teachers in the U.S. This means that those who have decided to remain in their jobs will have larger class sizes and more responsibilities to shoulder.

Lumen Touch Is Designed to Lighten their Burden

Lumen Touch’s all-in-one school system is designed to lighten teachers’ workload and make it easier for them to do what they went to school for: teach. By automating assessments and assignments, teachers can spend more time delivering instruction and spending one-on-one time with students who need extra help.

Love Your Job Again

Lumen Touch’s all-in-one student information system, Bright SUITE™, has a measurable impact in terms of reducing the amount of time teachers work outside the classroom. The all-in-one school system creates efficiencies that help teachers with routine tasks and allow them to focus on teaching. Teachers don’t want to leave the field, but they often feel compelled to do so when there are few, if any, tools and technology in place that help make their jobs more efficient.

Better Reporting and Visibility

The best part about an all-in-one school information system is the transparency. Teachers can readily see student history, sync grades, and create reports that meet compliance for IEPs and 504s; with a visual on where students are struggling, teachers can tailor their education plans and help improve their students’ chances of being successful. With access to special education modules, a full library, and modules for individual user data dashboards, Bright SUITE allows teachers to save time, improve student success rates, and benefit from access to real-time data, to make the best decision for every student.

Improved Collaboration

With Bright SUITE, teachers can share resources, lesson plans, and ideas – not only throughout their own school but with other schools as well. The system also provides a centralized location for teachers to organize and store course materials, such as lecture notes, assignments, and multimedia resources, making it easier for students to access and review course content from any location and reducing the workload for teachers in subsequent years.

Lumen Touch was established in 2000 and has been diligently listening to educators and school leaders, in order to build a meaningful and effective all-in-one solution that is unparalleled in the education arena. We focus on improving the learning opportunities for children with measurable outcomes. Request more information by emailing us at sales@lumentouch.com or keep reading here to learn more.

An All-in-One Student Information System Leads to Better Outcomes

Posted on July 27, 2023 by lumentouchblog

At Lumen Touch, we don’t believe in technology for technology’s sake. We believe that the tools and solutions a school chooses should enhance learning, empower educators, and provide districts with insight that enables informed decision making. Determining the right edtech solutions for your school can be difficult, but if you begin with an all-in-one student information system, the entire process can be so much easier.

Why an All-in-One Student Information System?

An all-in-one student information system gives your district broad visibility across every aspect of education, from attendance and health to academic progress and special education management. An all-in-one student management platform not only allows a district to save money, but it also creates a secure and connected school district. Real-time data lets educators make the best decisions for all students, with a two-way flow of information that allows Lumen Touch and the district to have an integrated partnership.

Benefits of an All-in-One Student Information System

All-In-One Solution

A single database to support all aspects of a school district’s needs not only allows for integrated data dashboards and applications but also lifts the burden from the IT department from managing 20 different systems.

Saves Money and Creates Efficiencies

The average school district will save tens of thousands of dollars annually by creating new efficiencies for inventory management, attendance processing, and data reporting.

Increase Student Engagement

An all-in-one student information system allows schools to deliver better, more personalized education to all students, thereby enhancing learning. Immediate feedback on learning, process automation, and interactive assessment tools allow teachers to dedicate more time to helping students one-on-one. The time savings alone afforded to teachers is almost immeasurable.

Real-Time Data to Make Informed Decisions

One of the biggest benefits of an all-in-one student information system is the visibility provided to districts; with a single complete database, districts can see in real time all aspects of student achievement. This data transparency allows educators and district leaders to make better, faster, more informed decisions about curriculum, policies, and other factors that impact student success.

Lumen Touch was established in 2000 and has been diligently listening to its customers and building an all-in-one solution that is unparalleled in the education arena. You can experience a seamless technological solution that will save you time and money and allow your students and teachers to focus on improving their wellbeing. We focus on improving the learning opportunities for children with measurable outcomes. Request more information by emailing us at sales@lumentouch.com.

The Importance of User Experience in an All-in-One School System

Posted on June 22, 2023 by lumentouchblog

The success of your Student Information System (SIS) can largely hinge upon user experience (UX), which can greatly impact the quality of education and the educator support that your school is capable of providing. Positive UX can lead to increased engagement, retention, and overall satisfaction with the teaching and learning process. With the user experience, then, being key to the success of your all-in-one school system, what should you look for when striving to obtain the best possible system for your school?

Your All-One-System Should Be Easy to Navigate

One of the most important aspects of UX when considering an all-in-one system is navigation. Educators and students should be able to easily find the content they need without wasting an inordinate amount of time. Providing logical categories and clear and concise menus can help. The system should also be intuitive and easy to use, even for users who are not tech-savvy.

The All-in-One System Should Allow for Personalization

The all-in-one system you choose for your school should allow for personalization and customization at the district, school, and user level. Content should be tailored to the individual’s needs; data analytics should be integrated into the system so that the school can learn about the users as they endeavor to achieve their goals.

Continual Improvement Should Be an Ongoing Commitment

Your all-in-one system should continually be improved upon based on user testing and feedback. By understanding where the pain points are in the design of the system, improvements can be made to make the system more efficient and increase user satisfaction.

Why Choose Lumen™ Touch All-in-One Learning System?

Lumen Touch prides itself on providing school districts with an all-in-one solution that can be accessed anywhere, any time, on any device. We strive to connect all students to opportunities, and this means that our system has to be accommodating of the latest technological advances. As a result, our system is web-based, in order to serve as many students as possible on a number of devices. Our team is readily available to assist with training, implementation, and customizations that make the system work the way in which each individual district requires.

The Future of Learning: How Technology is Changing the Game

Posted on May 18, 2023 by lumentouchblog

The future of learning is rapidly evolving, and Lumen Touch is not only eager to see what the future brings but is also actively helping schools embrace the technologies that are at the forefront of this revolution. From online learning to virtual reality in the classroom, technology is changing the way students learn and interact with information.

What Does the Future of Learning Mean for the Traditional Classroom?

As technology continues to change the game for learners, educators, and institutions, how can we harness technology’s potential to create a brighter future for education? According to a study conducted by EdTech Magazine, 90% of students were already using technology to learn by the year 2020 and 60% of teachers reported that their students were more engaged in lessons when technology was used. Rather than resisting the ways in which technology changes the classroom, most educators are embracing the empowerment it provides to them.

Technology Makes Learning More Accessible and Flexible

As most of us discovered during the pandemic, technology helped make education more accessible to more people. Technology also offered the kind of flexibility that allowed educators and districts to provide a wider range of educational opportunities. More personalized learning – not just for SPED but for all students – can be achieved through technology in education. We’ve seen the power of technology in action, connecting students with others around the world for unique learning experiences, improving interaction between students and their teachers, and increasing engagement from both students and their families.

Secondly, technology has made education more flexible. Gone are the days when students must attend classes at specific times and locations. With online courses, students can learn at their own pace and on their own schedule. This has led to an increase in personalized learning, as students can choose courses that align with their interests and goals.

The Rise of EdTech

We are not proponents of edtech for edtech’s sake, but we do believe that the right edtech solutions can enhance learning and provide tools for teachers that allow them to spend more time working directly with students instead of just dealing with mounting paperwork and compliance requirements. As VR and AR become more commonplace in classrooms, technology will open up even more opportunities for educators to provide immersive experiences to their students, enhancing learning and engagement.

The Future of Learning Is Now

As technology continues to enhance education, we believe it will result in a new generation of teachers who are able to spend more time working directly with students and providing enriched experiences, without feeling overwhelmed with the teaching process. Technology offered by districts may even be a way of attracting and retaining teachers. Affording technology in education is made simple with Lumen Touch. With special modules for special education, a full library, and modules for individual user data dashboards, Bright SUITE™ is an all-in-one enterprise management solution that allows districts to save money, improve student retention, and create a secure and connected school district. Access to real-time data lets educators make the best decisions for all students. Learn more.