Classic View: Scheduling > Student Constraints

Search Terms: Student Constraints

The Student Constraints tool allows users to limit a student's interaction in classes with another student, or with multiple students. Constraints are used when loading course requests in the Schedule Wizard, and can be either a strict constraint (student will not be placed) or a not strict constraint (student should not be placed).

Student Constraints can also be entered through the Planning menu in the Schedule Wizard, and can be rolled forward into future calendars using the Student Constraints Roll Forward tool.

Student Constraints Tool

Constraints can be added for any reason deemed necessary by the staff (Principal, Counselor, Teacher) or by a Parent/Guardian's request. Mostly, constraints fall into these two scenarios:

Not Strict Constraint. Abigail and Anna are twins. Their parents have requested that whenever possible, Abigail and Anna are not in the same course sections at the same time. This would be a "not strict" constraint. For example, if both Abigail and Anna need to take Spanish II in third period because Abigail has Soccer the other time it is offered, and Anna needs to stay with the same teacher she had for Spanish I, they may be in the same section.
Strict Constraint. Ryan and David have frequent behavioral issues when they are in the same class as James. It can be distracting for other students, and prohibits them from learning, and causes more tension than needed for all of the other students and the teacher. The logic creates a constraint all combinations of all three students, and prohibits their placement in the same course sections. Strict constraints can be overwritten in the Schedule Wizard, if necessary.

Note that the more frequent use of constraints may limit the successful placement of students in their requested courses.

Search for Student Constraints

This tool makes a one to many connection. When there are several constraints created, it is best to search for a specific student in the Student 1 column, Student 2 column, or both.

Enter part of a student's last name, student's first name, or a student's number in the Student 1 or Student 2 column. When letters or numbers are entered, the list of existing constraints filters to return only those instances that match the entered letters or numbers.

Student Constraints Search

There is no ability to edit a constraint. If a change does need to be made (the wrong student was selected, the wrong type of constraint was chosen, etc.), click the Delete button. Then, enter a new constraint.

Add Student Constraints Between Two Students

If an existing constraint was not found, click the New button to enter a new record.
Begin typing a student's name in the dropdown list. When located, click the student's name.
Begin typing the second student's name. When located, click the student's name.
Mark the Strict checkbox, if needed.
Click the Save button when finished. The constraint displays in the list above.

Add Student Constraints For More Than Two Students

If an existing constraint was not found, click the New button to enter a new record.
Begin typing a student's name in the dropdown list. When located, click the student's name.
Begin typing the second student's name. When located, click the student's name.
Begin type the third student's name. When located, click the student's name.
Continue this process until all students needing the constraint have been selected.
Mark the Strict checkbox, if needed.
Click the Save button when finished. The constraints display in the list above, one entry for each student between each instance of the other students. For example, Anna, Beth, Carrie and Delia cannot be in the same class. The list of constraints would look like this:
- Anna will not be placed with Beth.
- Anna will not be placed with Carrie.
- Anna will not be placed with Delia.
- Beth will not be placed with Carrie.
- Beth will not be placed with Delia.
- Carrie will not be placed with Delia.

Student Constraints with more than Two Students

Adding a considerable amount of students in one constraint record is not recommended. It is recommended that constraints be added one at a time in order to manage the records more effectively.

View Constraints In Other Scheduling Tools

Constraints display in the following areas.

Scheduling Tool	Details
Schedule Wizard Student Constraints	Scroll through the list of students enrolled in the calendar (meaning, it is not limited to students who have existing constraints. Constraints may have been rolled into the calendar using the the Student Constraints Roll Forward tool in the product, or using the Import Student Constraints from Last Year option in the header of this menu. Selected students are highlighted, and the constraints the student has to other students display, and an indication if the constraint is strict or not strict. New constraints can also be added here.
Schedule Wizard Manual Roster Builder	When building a roster for a particular course, students who have conflicts with other students who are scheduled in the same section display in red (if the constraint is strict) or yellow (if the constraints is not strict). NOTE: The red or yellow display only occurs when the View > Conflicts > Student to Student option is marked in the Schedule Wizard.
Schedule Wizard Section Roster	Constraints display for the section roster in the yellow pop-up box.
Walk-In Scheduler, Search, Manual Mode (@ sign)	When viewing the Walk-In Scheduler, and the list of student requests display on the right, click the @ symbol to highlight where that section meets on the Schedule grid. When a student constraint exists, that section is highlighted in red. The hover text indicates such, but does not indicate which student(s) may be involved. If the student should still be placed in the section, click the bold text. A warning message then displays indicating a constraint exists. Clicking OK places the student into the section, overriding the student constraint restriction. The course number and section display in red, and the hover text continues to indicate there is a constraint with another student. Note that overriding the constraint does not remove the record in the Student Constraints tool; the override applies to the placement of a student into a section when a constraint exists.
Student Constraints Roll Forward	The Student Constraints Roll Forward tool copies the selected student constraints from the Source Calendar into the Destination Calendar.