Set Resource Document Formats

To set up the system to store the actual content of resources in the form of documents (e.g., lesson plans, activities, etc.), you need to create one or more document formats that define the layout of the documents. A document format defines the layout of a document as a series of sections. For example, a document format for lesson plans might include the following sections: Theme, Objectives, Timeline, Instructional Strategies, and Evaluation Method.

When a user creates a resource (e.g., lesson plan, activity, etc.) using a document format, they name the resource as the first step. Next, the user selects and aligns the curriculum statements (e.g., objectives, benchmarks, etc.) that the resource will address. Finally, the user completes each section of the document. A special section of the document (that is linked to the curriculum) is automatically filled in with the curriculum statements the resource was aligned to.

In some cases, PowerSchool Special Programs can assist the user in completing certain sections by allowing the user to click and insert references to other resources that have been aligned to the curriculum. For example, if there is a lesson plan section to track materials, PowerSchool Special Programs can present any teaching resources that have been aligned to the objectives covered in the lesson plan and allow the user to select references to insert into the materials section.

1. Select Resource Library from the Curriculum menu, and then select Resource Library Setup from the More... drop-down menu.
2. Click the link next to the resource type for which you want to create a document format
3. Click Add New Document Format here.
4. Enter the name of the new format.
5. In the Start This Format Using field, select to create the new format by copying a sample layout which includes a default set of sections or by copying an existing document format. If you are not sure which format to use, select the sample layout.
6. Click Accept to proceed. The Layout Details page appears listing the document format's sections.
7. Find the section where the Section Type column displays Curriculum statements. Click the Edit (pencil) icon on the left side of this row.
   This is a special section that will automatically present the curriculum statements the resource is aligned to. You cannot delete this section.
8. Edit the section title, and select the appropriate options for this section. To display text boxes users can edit beneath each curriculum statement, select the Include Text Boxes? field.
9. Click Accept to continue.
10. On the Layout Details page, click the Edit and Delete icons to modify the format, or add a new section to the format by clicking Add New Section.
11. When you add or edit a section, enter information on the following form to define the section.
    
    • In the Section Type field, select the appropriate option to determine the size of the section and whether the stylized text will be used.
    • To allow document authors to have direct access to other types of aligned resources to help them populate the section with appropriate resources, select the resource type in the Allow author to populate section with field.  
    • To include default text that will automatically appear in any document created from this format, enter the text in the Default Text field. When a user creates the document, the user can edit the text.
12. Click Accept.
13. To change the order of the sections, you can drag the name of a section to a new position in the list.

Test Document Format

You can test the document format by using it to create a resource (see Create and Align Curriculum Resources). You may want to adjust the document format after that experience.