Because account architecture is configured at the district level, onboarding decisions apply across the entire district rather than individual schools.
To help explain how our two onboarding methods work—and why switching mid-year requires a fresh setup—here is a breakdown of what each approach is and isn't.
Single Sign-On (SSO) & Automated Rostering
What it IS:
Centralized Login: Teachers and students log in directly through their district SSO dashboard/portal or by selecting the Sign in with SSO button at ccclearningportal.org using their standard district credentials.
Automated Account & Class Setup: Roster data (teachers, students, classes) is automatically pushed from the district's Student Information System (SIS) into the Learning Portal.
Continuous Syncing: Any changes made at the district level (e.g., student schedule changes, new staff hires) automatically update in the Learning Portal.
What it is not:
Manual Setup: Teachers do not need to create accounts, set separate passwords, or distribute access codes.
School-by-School: SSO cannot be enabled for single buildings or individual classrooms independently; it is a district-wide integration handled by IT.
Please note that even if your district has and utilizes SSO, we still need to set up the connection with your IT department.
Self-Registration (Manual Setup)
What it is:
Individual Account Creation: Staff create their own accounts by following an activation email link or entering a school access code, then creating a separate password.
Manual Class Management: Teachers manually set up their classes and either add students directly or have students join using a student access code.
What it is not:
Automated: Student enrollment and account updates do not automatically sync when changes happen in your district’s SIS.
Connected to District Portals: Teachers and students must navigate directly to the site and use their dedicated site passwords rather than a single-click district launchpad.
Important Note on Switching Methods Mid-Year
We strongly advise against switching onboarding methods mid-year (or after staff and students have actively built out their accounts).
Because account structures and security identifiers differ fundamentally between Self-Registration and SSO/Automated Rostering, switching requires clearing out existing portal accounts and starting fresh. Transitioning mid-stream will result in lost class data, user settings, and historical program activity.
Learn more specific about our onboarding process here.