Admin FAQ: Canvas and PowerSchool

Instructure has developed an automated integration between PowerSchool and Canvas LMS. The integration imports rostering data from PowerSchool to Canvas, and grade information from Canvas to PowerSchool.

This document helps admins with frequently asked questions and troubleshooting tips when Canvas is integrated with PowerSchool SIS gradebook.

How does PowerSchool work with Canvas?

The Canvas PowerSchool integration works two ways.

  • PowerSchool to Canvas Provisioning: When you make changes in PowerSchool (to users, courses, enrollments, etc.), those changes are reflected in Canvas after a scheduled, one-way transfer from the PowerSchool OneRoster 1.1 API to Canvas.
  • Canvas to PowerSchool Grade Passback (GPB): When instructors make changes or updates to course assignments and student grades in Canvas, those changes are sent to your SIS using OneRoster 1.1 API.

Contact your Customer Success Manager who can work with you to install and enable the Instructure OneRoster plugin for your institution's PowerSchool integration.

What is required to implement the PowerSchool integration with Canvas and how long does it take?

  1. New customers will be guided through the implementation process to configure the PowerSchool-Canvas integration. If you are currently in implementation, please contact your project consultant or CSM with any questions.
  2. Existing Canvas customers will need to go through an SIS conversion project to have the PowerSchool-Canvas integration configured. The SIS conversion project is required to ensure that no existing data in Canvas is accidentally deleted or updated. SIS conversions typically happen in the summer months. To start the SIS conversion process, please contact your Canvas CSM before summer.

Note: Instructure does not validate the accuracy of your data. You must validate the accuracy of your data during implementation or SIS conversion.

What PowerSchool data is synced to Canvas?

The following data syncs from PowerSchool into Canvas:

  • Users - Students and Teachers (non-enrolled staff and parents/observers are not included)
  • Schools
  • Terms
  • Courses
  • Sections
  • Enrollments

Note: Changes to the above data should be managed in PowerSchool. Changes to these PowerSchool fields are automatically synced to Canvas during the next sync. Any data added in Canvas subsequent to the PowerSchool integration are not synced to PowerSchool.

How frequently is data synced from PowerSchool to Canvas?

The integration is configured to sync daily. However, this may be adjusted based on your institution's requirements.

How frequently are grades synced from Canvas to PowerSchool?

Canvas grades are synced to PowerSchool when an instructor manually syncs grades from the Canvas gradebook. Scheduled grade syncs can be configured by request. Please contact Canvas support for help with scheduled grade syncs.

What information is included in a sync from Canvas to PowerSchool?

The following assignment information is synced to PowerSchool from Canvas:

  • Assignment Description
  • Assignment Group Association/Category Association
  • Assignment Name
  • Assignment Due Dates
  • Assignment Scores
  • Assignment Status - Missing and Excused (Late is not supported)
  • Points Possible

What are the Canvas PowerSchool integration limitations?

The Canvas PowerSchool integration includes the following limitations:

  • PowerSchool does not support differentiated assignments, including MasteryPaths assignments.
  • PowerSchool does not support observer user account creation. If you configure self-registration in your account, parents and guardians can create their own Canvas account and observe students in their classes.