PowerSchool launches AI Tools to support college planning and streamline school information access

PowerSchool has announced the launch of its latest AI-powered solutions designed to enhance college and career planning for students, while also improving access to district information for school communities. 

The new tools, PowerBuddy for College and Career and PowerBuddy for Custom AI, are now available for the 2024-2025 school year.

These tools are part of PowerSchool’s broader strategy to integrate AI into educational services, helping students, educators, and communities access critical information more efficiently. The PowerBuddy tools aim to streamline the process of postsecondary planning for students and improve communication between schools and their stakeholders.

Personalised planning

PowerBuddy for College and Career is designed to assist students in exploring their academic and professional futures. Using data such as GPA, assessments, career interests, and personal goals, the tool provides tailored guidance. 

The goal is to make it easier for students to explore career options, navigate higher education planning, and make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances.

The platform also helps reduce the workload for school counsellors, who are often responsible for large numbers of students. According to a report by the American School Counselor Association, the average U.S. school counsellor is responsible for 385 students. PowerBuddy for College and Career aims to empower students to take greater control of their planning process, allowing counsellors to focus on more specific needs.

“At PowerSchool, AI isn’t just a feature – it's a cornerstone of our mission to enhance educational outcomes and foster meaningful engagement unlike ever before,” said Shivani Stumpf, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at PowerSchool.

The platform is designed to offer students personalised advice based on their unique needs. Students can access relevant information quickly through a user-friendly interface. The tool allows counsellors to focus on high-impact areas of student support by reducing the time spent on routine queries..

Improving communication and access

The second AI tool, PowerBuddy for Custom AI, is designed to improve how school districts interact with their communities. The platform allows parents, teachers, and stakeholders to access district-specific information such as policy manuals, school calendars, job postings, and more, without needing to navigate multiple sources.

This tool integrates directly into district websites and communication platforms, ensuring that the information provided is accurate and up to date. By simplifying access to important district data, PowerBuddy for Custom AI aims to enhance community engagement and provide users with a more efficient way to find the information they need.

The platform also includes accessibility features like speech-to-text and text-to-speech functionality to accommodate a broader range of users.

Stumpf concluded, “ “Our new PowerBuddy tools represent a significant leap forward in empowering students, families, educators, and counselors with efficient, secure, and personalised access to critical information by providing instant, tailored, and relevant responses through natural language interactions, eliminating the need for time-consuming searches and sifting through an overwhelming amount of information.”