Contact: Linda Murrin
866-847-3405 x108
lmurrin@common-goal.com

For Immediate release

Missouri DESE Drops Requirement for Statewide Student Information System:
School Districts Free to Choose Own Systems

Elmhurst, IL (May 4, 2011) – Common Goal Systems (www.common-goal.com), a web-based provider of student information services to Missouri school districts, received news that the state of Missouri has abandoned plans to mandate a single statewide Student Information System (SIS) due to lack of funding. While the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will still make an unfunded recommendation, districts are free to choose their own products. Since participation is voluntary, DESE will continue to support all vendors currently working with the state.

"This is great news for Missouri schools," says Mike Xakellis, CEO for Common Goal Systems. "Large and small districts have different needs, and they can choose the product that works best for them. It's so much better than a one-size-fits-all approach. Especially in these tight economic times, it doesn't make sense to require all districts to repurchase their existing systems. Our customers are relieved they can continue to use SchoolInsight, the system they know and love."

Late last month, DESE released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Statewide Student Information System. According to section 1.2.2, "It shall be at the sole discretion of the district or using entity as to whether to utilize the contract." The RFP can be found at http://oa.mo.gov/bids/b2z11018.htm.

SchoolInsight (www.schoolinsight.com) is an industry leading student management system known for its ease-of-use and outstanding technical support. The system is 100 percent MOSIS-compliant and uses the latest cloud computing technology. Over 30 satisfied Missouri districts currently use SchoolInsight. The system is focused on the needs of small-to-medium size school districts.

Common Goal Systems provides web-based services to help educators work more efficiently. Using the Software as a Service model (SaaS), the company offers 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, May 4, 2011