Classroom Placement

Project Overview

The Classroom Placement Tool is a specialized application designed to help schools create balanced and effective classroom environments. This tool transforms what was traditionally a weeks-long process using physical post-it notes into an efficient, digital workflow that can be completed in just a few meetings. By digitizing and streamlining the complex process of assigning students to classrooms, the tool considers multiple factors including academic performance, behavioral needs, social-emotional requirements, and diversity considerations.

Key features include:

• Priority-based student placement system with intuitive rating criteria
• Collaborative interface for teachers and administrators
• Built-in rubric reference system
• Visual representation tracking for diversity balance
• Seamless Blackbaud integration for secure access and student data
• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for student placement

Design Philosophy

The application was built with three core principles in mind:

1. Efficiency Through Digital Transformation: The tool revolutionizes the traditional classroom placement process by replacing physical post-it notes with a dynamic digital interface. What teachers described as a "life-saving" tool has dramatically reduced the time investment from weeks to just a couple of meetings, while maintaining the collaborative nature of the process.

2. Equity and Balance: Every classroom should be thoughtfully composed to ensure a balanced distribution of students across various dimensions - academic abilities, behavioral needs, and demographic representation. The tool helps ensure that each teacher has a manageable classroom composition while maintaining optimal learning environments for students.

3. User-Centric Workflow: The placement process follows a natural, card-dealing metaphor where teachers take turns placing priority students first, followed by other considerations. This intuitive approach makes the tool accessible to all staff members regardless of their technical expertise, while maintaining the familiar aspects of their previous process.

Technologies Used

The application leverages modern web technologies to deliver a robust and user-friendly experience:

React: Powers the dynamic user interface with efficient state management and component reusability

• Blackbaud Integration:
  • Implements OAuth for secure authentication
  • Utilizes the SKY API for seamless student data access
  • Maintains consistent user experience with school's existing systems
• Supabase:
  • Provides secure, real-time database functionality
  • Implements custom Row Level Security rules for enhanced data protection
  • Ensures teachers can only access their assigned classroom data
• DaisyUI: Provides a clean, accessible, and responsive design system
• Custom Drag-and-Drop: Implements an intuitive interface for student placement
• Real-time Collaboration: Enables multiple teachers to participate in the placement process simultaneously
• Data Persistence: Securely stores placement decisions and allows for session recovery

The interface provides real-time feedback on classroom composition, making it easy for teachers to make informed decisions during the placement process.