Hi Renee,
Canvas just released an update that I think your school may want to consider. With the release coming up January 28 all of this will be available, but I believe if you message your Success Team member they can activate it now.
PowerSchool and Canvas now have an LTI tool that makes for a better handling of the gradebook->PowerSchool connection. It does not change how the passback works, but it does allow you to view all assignments that are included in the push from Canvas to PowerSchool. If you do not want to send one of the assignments, you can edit the assignment right on the screen and remove it from the sync. It also removes the restrictions that had been in place preventing instructors from adjusting grades in previous grading periods.
I know that we have implemented this and are very excited about the improvements. Here is a link to their release notes, go to the section on SIS for more information:
https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-8768#jive_content_id_SIS
The PowerSchool integration is now available as an LTI tool that improves error handling with the Gradebook and improves the PowerSchool interface. The LTI tool does not change the way Canvas passes back grades to PowerSchool.
Admins can request to have their PowerSchool integration reconfigured to the LTI tool by contacting their Canvas Customer Success Manager.
- The PowerSchool LTI also includes the following enhancements:
Instructors can view all assignments that are included to be posted to the institution’s SIS, along with the assignment status. If an assignment should not be sent to PowerSchool, the instructor can edit the assignment or view the Assignment Index Page and remove the assignment from being sent to PowerSchool. - Instructors have full control with assignments set in grading periods. The LTI tool does not set any restrictions for data synchronization, so grades can be sent to PowerSchool even if an assignment is in a closed grading period.
When instructors exclude an assignment from posting to PowerSchool, the LTI requires that the instructor confirms to exclude the assignment.
Please note that the LTI tool does not communicate student-based assignments to PowerSchool. Any assignments specified for an individual student will not be noted as an assignment error. Although the assignment will display as ready to post, the assignment will not be sent to the PowerSchool gradebook.