K-12 Districts Risk Costly SIS Selection Missteps Without Clear Requirements and Integration Planning, Finds Info-Tech Research Group
Summary
Info-Tech Research Group published a blueprint, Select a Student Information System for K-12 Education, to help K-12 districts structure SIS selection and avoid costly integration and implementation mistakes. The resource presents a three-phase framework: define processes and data flows, evaluate and shortlist vendors, then run structured RFPs and demonstrations to finalize selection. It warns that evaluating vendors before documenting operational requirements often leads to adoption, integration, and long-term performance problems and highlights rising expectations for interoperability, cybersecurity, and analytics. The blueprint recommends demo scripts, weighted evaluation criteria, and vendor scorecards and emphasizes that implementation, integration, and training can drive the bulk of SIS investment.