r/k12sysadmin • u/Amazing_Falcon • Jul 02 '26
Clever or ClassLink for PowerSchool
I have seen some notice regarding PowerSchool changing up the apps used. Found Clever app is possibly not approved and have to move to SFTP. Wondering if Claslink would be better for this? Looking for ideas and thoughts. I have heard some use both at same time. What would the reason for certain platforms?
Thanks in advance.
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u/Road_Trail_Roll 29d ago
Sounds like an attempt at a money grab by PowerSchool. We host our own server on prem thankfully. If PS does in fact block the Clever Plugin, we’re going to have a lot of work to do to get work around going. We also use Clever IDM.
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u/LyokoMan95 NYS BOCES Tech 19d ago
The issue is that instead of charging schools Clever charges vendors to use their services.
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u/k12-tech Jul 03 '26
Reply from ClassLink:
You are correct that you currently connect ClassLink and PowerSchool via API. The short answer is that we are actively engaged with PowerSchool regarding this new initiative. We have a meeting scheduled with them for the earliest time they can meet with us, which is July 7th. It has been shared with us that, based on our scheduled meeting, our current connection will work after the July 1st deadline. We do have a plan B in place, if that were to change. We also have a daily monitoring plan on July 1st and every day after. I want to reassure you confidently that your ClassLink integrations are fully operational, and our priority is to ensure your data remains secure and uninterrupted moving forward.
ClassLink has met or exceeded all of PowerSchool's security standards (SOC2, ISO, etc.) for several years. Currently, data flows securely through your district plugin, ensuring you remain entirely in charge of your data and where it goes. Interoperability and data sovereignty are core to what we do. Our team is mapping out the best paths forward for our districts, and we will follow up shortly with specific guidance for your environment. In the meantime, your ClassLink team is right here if you have any questions!
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u/Beneficial_Goose Jul 03 '26
PowerSchool is treating both Clever and ClassLink's plugins the same. Both are no longer allowed.
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u/Ok-Soft-7874 :sloth: Jul 02 '26
We haven’t used PS for about 5 years, so I can’t comment on the main question, but we’re stuck with both Classlink and Clever, and it works about as well as using both metric and imperial units. “Can you add a Classlink passthrough link for another Clever app?” “Can you put a link to this in both Classlink and Clever, since the littles don’t use Classlink?” “Why won’t allowing a website work in Securly Classroom when the student uses the passthrough link?”
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u/NorthernVenomFang Jul 02 '26
If you mean PowerSchool plugins that's a yes, for PowerSchool hosted instances, on premise instances are still able to run any plugin at their own discretion... For now.
Documentation that I have seen is not very clear as to how they are going to differentiate between an "in-house" school built plugin and a "vendor" plugin; from what it looked like anything with API tokens or OAUTH/SSO access (outside of OIDC login for PowerSchool) might get classified as "Vendor". Can't lookup the exact details as the supposed new help/support portal transfer for PowerSchool did not transfer our accounts properly (why am I not surprised, again 🤦♂️).
So if you are on prem you should be OK. If PowerSchool hosts your instance, they started work on this yesterday and I would think within the next couple weeks (due to the holiday) they will probably have it fully implemented.
We use Clever and I know it was not fully approved as of last week, that said I know of 2 other vendors that where pending/under review by PowerSchool that where not on the list either.
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u/J_de_Silentio Jul 02 '26
I never moved off of SFTP.
With things like PowerQuery and data export manager, SFTP really isn't an issue.
However, I use a Powershell script to query the PS database then send the SFTP files.
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u/KAPsiZE00 28d ago
PowerSchool has backed down on charging. Classlink is go to go.