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For Immediate release

DESE confirms that Missouri School Districts Can Choose Their Own Student Information Systems

Elmhurst, IL (June 9, 2011) – The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently released frequently asked questions (FAQ) confirming that school districts will NOT be required to purchase a new statewide student information system (SIS). The FAQ clearly states that the Department "will continue to support all vendors currently working in the state" and will neither fund nor require districts to use a specific system.

"There has been confusion, and DESE finally cleared the air," says Mike Xakellis, CEO for Common Goal Systems. "Many districts want to upgrade their old Windows- or Mac-based systems to modern Web-based products. However, they've been hesitant to make a purchase decision fearing the need to convert again to the state-mandated system. Now with the statewide mandate officially dropped, districts can select the best SIS from the new generation of products. Schools are the real winners here."

The FAQ can be found at: http://dese.mo.gov/dsm/StatewideStudentInformationSystem.html.

Common Goal Systems (www.common-goal.com) develops SchoolInsight (www.schoolinsight.com), a user-friendly, MOSIS-compliant student information system used by about 30 satisfied Missouri school districts. The system is geared to meet the specific needs of small-to-medium sized districts. Common Goal Systems provides SaaS products to help educators work more efficiently. The company delivers its products via the Internet and is responsible for all deployment, operation, and maintenance. Founded in 2001, Common Goal Systems has hundreds of thousands of users worldwide.

- Common Goal Systems, Inc Press Release, June 9, 2011