What users are saying about
5 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.1 out of 100
Based on 5 reviews and ratings
9 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 7 out of 100
Based on 9 reviews and ratings
Feature Set Ratings
Student and Faculty Administration

PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
Feature Set Not Supported
N/A
8.3
Synergy Education Platform
83%
Synergy Education Platform ranks higher in 12/12 features
Synergy Education Platform ranks higher in 12/12 features
Integrations with 3rd-Party Education Technology
N/A
0 Ratings
3.0
30%
1 Rating
Online Registration Management
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
District Communications, such as messaging and alerting
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Roster Management
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Platform Customization
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Teacher Self-Service
N/A
0 Ratings
1.0
10%
1 Rating
Student Data Security
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Community Support
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Class Scheduling
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
State and National-level Reporting
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Compliance Support
N/A
0 Ratings
5.0
50%
1 Rating
Teacher and Parent Mobile Application
N/A
0 Ratings
10.0
100%
1 Rating
Attribute Ratings
- PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs is rated higher in 1 area: Likelihood to Recommend
Likelihood to Recommend

9.0
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
90%
1 Rating
5.0
Synergy Education Platform
50%
3 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
PowerSchool Special Education is well suited in one specific area: special education in elementary, middle and high schools. It works here due to the nature of the platform, which focuses on meeting the needs of students with all disabilities. The software offers information on specific cases, students, as well as Academics. This supports the mission of supporting all students and making it easier for educators, parents, and administration to be more heavily involved in tracking, monitoring and supporting students. When using PowerSchool Special Education, it simplifies the IEP process. Collaboration is one of the best abilities the software provides. There is a need to track program eligibility, including 501 accommodations and Title 1, and in a school with such a large population, the functionality that this software offers to users is important.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Synergy Education Platform
Very slow, you literally have to click save for every transaction or it is lost. It should have an autosave feature.It should have automatic commands:E for excusedor a one-click solution for excusing student work
Teacher
Montgomery County Public SchoolsEducation Management, 10,001+ employees
Pros
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
- It provides all the documents necessary for supporting federal and state laws in regards to the special education program.
- Extremely effective in helping to meet reporting standards for students. Teachers that fall behind on deadlines or timelines are given reminders and provided with processes to monitor progress and reporting.
- Case management is easy, which leads to 100% compliance. This is important because the best strength is that this platform helps to increase funding by meeting all requirements of the Fed and State.
- An additional strength is the collaborative potential it offers. The platform offers student portals to let staff access all resources on demand.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Synergy Education Platform
- Analytics
- Engagement Data
- Streamlined Information
Vice President of Programs
Inmates to EntrepreneursFinancial Services, 201-500 employees
Cons
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
- In terms of improvement, the interface is extremely ugly and simple in design, color and icon design. The platform needs to have a much more interactive and appealing interface so that use is more comfortable.
- For parents, their side of the platform has a lot of options. That needs to be simplified. I think less and more drop downs within the key menus would help.
- The disability codes are very lengthy. Perhaps there are easier or faster ways to access subsections to select.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Synergy Education Platform
- Less downtime during the day.
- Not logging out after a certain time of inactivity.
- Online user-manuals for each school district.
Special Education Teacher
Veritas Collegiate AcademyPrimary/Secondary Education, 10,001+ employees
Pricing Details
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Synergy Education Platform
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Alternatives Considered
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
There is no other software on the market that is specifically focused on improving the support of special education programs. PowerSchool Special Education system has a similar interface and structure that Moodle Rooms offer; however, Moodle Rooms is for content management and student management. PowerSchool Special Education is not related to course curriculum management, it is primarily focused on special education programs. Managing special education programs can be very difficult and stressful. It is impossible to successfully comply and healthily support a special education program without tools such as PowerSchool Special Education. Even more important than what other software does do for schools and educators, this platform makes it more convenient for families. Electronic forms and parent portals make processes easier.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Synergy Education Platform
Synergy is great at keeping all student data in one place.It is very inefficient for teachers entering grades.
Teacher
Montgomery County Public SchoolsEducation Management, 10,001+ employees
Return on Investment
PowerSchool Unified Classroom Special Programs
- There is also a positive impact on ROI for the school. Utilizing this software provides the school with the ability to increase the potential it receives in Title 1 funding. Title 1 funding is a major source of funding for inner-city schools in particular.
- Normally, the IEP and tracking process is lengthy, filled with paper, and often takes more time than necessary. Utilizing this software speeds up the process and provides clear requirements to be met, which reduces the number of questions and confusing meetings or papers left in teacher mailboxes.
- I have not experienced a negative return on investment with the software, because, without it, the paper trail would be too lengthy and the process would be much more convoluted, with long meetings, long sheets of paperwork, and missed deadlines due to a lack of clear collaboration.
Virtual Enterprise Coordinator/Educator
NYC Department of Education / Francis Lewis High SchoolEducation Management, 201-500 employees
Synergy Education Platform
- Saved Time
- Saved Money
- Easier to Access Analytics
Vice President of Programs
Inmates to EntrepreneursFinancial Services, 201-500 employees