FAQ



What is SpectrumK12 School Solutions and what do you do?

Spectrum K12 School Solutions Inc. helps school districts more effectively manage the individualized learning process for all students receiving special services or interventions. Spectrum K12, based in Towson, MD, works collaboratively with districts of all sizes to deliver scalable, easy-to-use IEP software and intervention software solutions that lift the burden of paperwork from education professionals so they can focus on the most important part of their work: educating children and improving student achievement. We serve nearly four million students in 7,000 schools in 27 states. Our flagship product is Encore. ® Learn more...


What is the core business of your company?

We develop, install, train and support IEP software and intervention software systems that handle the administrative burden of education professionals so they can focus more of their efforts on educating children. We also provide many services, including professional staff development, grant writing, and Medicaid reimbursement that help to improve education processes and maximize school district resources. Learn more...


Describe your typical customer.

More than 90% of the school districts in the United States have an enrollment of less than 5,000 students. Our customers tend to be larger than that because larger districts typically are the first to adopt technologies. But we also have many smaller districts, especially those that are part of special education cooperatives and consortiums that are extremely pleased with the results they get from Spectrum K12. Even the smallest K-12 districts spend thousands annually on staff that devote an inordinate amount of time to filling out paperwork and trying to maintain compliance with state and federal special education regulations. Learn more...


What products do you offer?

Encore is our flagship product for managing the special education process, but with additional capabilities such as Intervention, LEP, and 504, Encore can help districts manage all at-risk students. Encore also features an integrated Medicaid reimbursement product that helps districts document services and maximize recoveries for Medicaid-eligible services. Overall, the Encore product suite reduces time spent preparing and administering IEP documentation and increases completeness, accuracy and accessibility of program information for all at-risk student populations. Learn more...

Spectrum K12 also provides professional development training. Our training is based on proven facilitative leadership skills that can be used by departments of education, school districts and Fortune 100 companies. It is taught specifically for educators, by educators and is critical to leading an IDEA-compliant IEP process and to ensuring focus on the needs of children. Learn more...


Do Spectrum K12 products only work for districts of certain sizes?

Spectrum K12 is the administrative software of choice for districts of all sizes. We would be very happy to put you in touch with your peers in a Spectrum K12 client district that closely resembles yours in terms of size, geography, or primary needs in the area of special education process management. Learn more...


Is Spectrum K12 a public company?

No. Spectrum K12 is a privately-owned company that has received venture capital support. We have been in the business of helping school districts manage special education since 1996. Learn more...


Has the education industry recognized Spectrum K12 in any way?

Spectrum K12 is a thought leader in special education, with many affiliations and memberships throughout the education community. Both our company and our product have been recognized numerous times by many different organizations.

We have won an Award of Excellence from Technology and Learning Magazine (2002), been an EdNET Hero Award winner and Pioneer finalist (2004, 2005, and 2006), and a Codie Award finalist (2005, 2008). Our Encore product was the first to be endorsed by the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) in 2005. We have served in leadership positions on the board of SIFA, and our product is both SIF-certified (2005) and MS-Gold Certified (2003). We are a constant presence at industry conferences nationwide, both as a speaker and a sponsor. Learn more...


Why are so many school districts turning to administrative IEP software and intervention software to manage data on their students who need special services?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has shifted the focus of special education from detailed compliance and extensive paperwork to academic achievement, in order to align the law more closely with the No Child Left Behind Act. But even the smallest K-12 districts still devote an inordinate amount of time to complying with special education mandates. Experts tell us that as much as 90% of in-service for special education is devoted to compliance, not to improving instruction or the quality of student IEPs or other academic interventions. Special education teachers spend an average of 35% of their time filling out forms or-literally-trying to find the proper paperwork. And all of this comes at the expense of the students being served. The good news is that education technology has improved, providing the efficiency and accuracy that school districts need. Educators relieved of administrative duties can spend more time on those things that directly affect their students, improving student learning and educational outcomes, test scores, and AYP. Learn more...


How does Encore work?

Encore manages all of the timelines, connects to and tracks all of the legal regulations embedded within paperwork and automatically checks to ensure every piece of the special education process is in full compliance. Our patented technology is unique within the marketplace. It’s all online, updated and accessible in real time, and tied directly to your student information system. Encore includes forms and meetings specific to your state or district, conforming to your existing special education business processes instead of forcing you to conform to the software. Learn more...


Will Encore work with our student information system and other data management systems?

Yes. Spectrum K12’s standard, automated interface process allows us to easily exchange data between Encore and any student information system or other data management system in the district. Spectrum K12 has successfully interfaced Encore with every major SIS on the market. Encore is also Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF®) -certified, and can supply an SIF agent if the district wishes to exchange data with other systems via a zone integration server (ZIS). Our partnership with Edustructures-the recognized leader in Schools Interoperability Framework solutions for the K-12 education market - ensures that with Encore you will be able to access and use your existing data more effectively than ever before. Learn more...


How does Spectrum K12 ensure a district is successful in implementing the Encore IEP software?

Spectrum K12 combines a proven, repeatable implementation process and a wealth of expertise and experience to minimize the time to “go live” with the Encore system. Our professional services staff has more experience implementing enterprise-wide IEP software systems than any other vendor. Our best practices experience is derived, in part, from successfully implementing Encore in 20 of the largest 100 public schools districts in the country. Learn more...