PowerSchool AutoSend for Discovery Education

PowerSchool’s AutoSend feature can export the SIS data into CSV files and post them to Discovery Education’s SFTP server. This effectively automates user and class data syncing. The instructions below are generic guidelines for the AutoSend configuration. The screenshots, parameters, and necessary fields to export may be different depending on the district’s PowerSchool instance and needs.

Please note that these instructions may not apply to all PowerSchool instances and data structures.  Additional configurations may be needed.

Steps to Implement

1. Contact the Discovery Education Support Team to request SFTP credentials. Please provide the public IP for the district’s PowerSchool instance.
2. Create a Managed Connection in PowerSchool with the SFTP credentials.
3. Create the AutoSends in PowerSchool for each CSV template.
4. Notify the Discovery Education Support Team that files have been posted to the SFTP server.

STEP 1: REQUEST SFTP CREDENTIALS

Please email the Discovery Education Support Team at education_info@discoveryed.com to request SFTP credentials. Please provide the public IP for the district’s PowerSchool instance, and  note that PowerSchool AutoSends will be used.

STEP 2: CREATE A MANAGED CONNECTION IN POWERSCHOOL

1. Log into the PowerSchool Admin interface.
2. Navigate to the Managed Connection creation page: System > System Settings > Plugin Management Configuration > Remote Connection Manager (also check enable) > Remote Connection Manager > Create Connection
3. Create the Connection with the parameters below:
   • Name: Discovery Education SFTP
   • Protocol: SFTP
   • Host: [Provided by Discovery Education]
   • Port: 22
   • Username: [Provided by Discovery Education]
   • Password: [Provided by Discovery Education]
   • Click on Test Connection, and “Yes, Accept Host Key” if prompted.
   • Remote Path: /home/[SFTP Username]
   • Allow download: Check
   • Allow upload: Check
   • Submit

STEP 3: CREATE THE AUTOSENDS IN POWERSCHOOL

In general, we will need 5 AutoSends to handle Teacher, Student, and Class Enrollment data.

1. Log into the PowerSchool Admin interface.
2. Click AutoSend Setup > New
3. Important! Determine “When to Execute” the AutoSends. We recommend starting the first AutoSend as soon as possible after the SIS data is set for the day, then staggering each subsequent AutoSend to allow for the preceding one to complete.
4. Important! Determine “Fields to export” for each AutoSend. The fields suggested below may differ from the district’s PowerSchool instance, and other fields may be needed depending on other configurations. For example, TeacherNumber may be used instead of SIF_StatePrid. Consult with the Discovery Education Support Team to determine if any other fields are needed.
5. Configure the Teachers AutoSend, Submit, and click Run Now:
   Fields to export: SchoolID, First_Name, Last_Name, SIF_StatePrid, Email_Addr
6. Configure the Students AutoSend, Submit, and click Run Now:
   Fields to export: SchoolID, First_Name, Last_Name, State_StudentNumber, Student_Email, Grade_Level
7. Configure the Classes AutoSend, Submit, and click Run Now:
   Fields to export: SchoolID, [2]Course_Name, SectionID, TermID
8. Configure the Teacher Enrollment AutoSend, Submit, and click Run Now:
   Fields to export: SchoolID, SectionID, [5]SIF_StatePrid
9. Configure the Student Enrollment AutoSend, Submit, and click Run Now:
   Fields to export: SchoolID, SectionID, [1]State_StudentNumber

STEP 4: NOTIFY THE DISCOVERY EDUCATION SUPPORT TEAM THAT FILES HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THE SFTP SERVER

We will configure the settings on the Discovery Education side to expect the files. We will also schedule a launch date for the data to begin syncing. Since this may include changing existing credentials or launching SSO, a notification plan for end users should be discussed by the district.