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System Settings and Configuration

Last updated on Apr 01, 2026

System Settings and Configuration

As a system administrator, you can configure organizational settings, content areas, grade levels, and system preferences to customize PD Edge for your district or organization.

Accessing System Settings

System settings are distributed across several areas of PD Edge:

  1. Navigate to System Admin from the main menu
  2. Select the specific configuration area you need to update
  3. Organization-specific settings are also available within individual organization pages

Organization Settings Management

Basic Organization Information

You can update core organization details including:

  • Organization name and description
  • Contact information
  • Time zone settings
  • Active status

Organization Hierarchies

PD Edge supports multi-level organizational structures:

  1. Create parent organizations (districts)
  2. Add child organizations (schools, departments)
  3. Assign users to appropriate organizational levels
  4. Configure access permissions based on hierarchy

Content Areas Configuration

Content areas help organize professional development by subject matter.

Adding Content Areas

  1. Navigate to Content Areas in System Admin
  2. Click New Content Area
  3. Enter the content area name (e.g., "Mathematics", "Science", "English Language Arts")
  4. Select which organizations can access this content area
  5. Save your changes

Managing Content Area Assignments

  • Assign content areas to specific organizations
  • Link users to their subject area specializations
  • Use content areas to filter and organize professional development content

Grade Levels Setup

Grade levels allow you to target professional development to specific student populations.

Configuring Grade Levels

  1. Access Grade Levels in System Admin
  2. Create grade level entries (e.g., "Kindergarten", "1st Grade", "6th Grade")
  3. Assign grade levels to organizations
  4. Link users to the grade levels they serve

Grade Level Organization

  • Elementary levels (K-5)
  • Middle school levels (6-8)
  • High school levels (9-12)
  • Administrative levels (All Grades)

User Management Settings

Role Configuration

Configure default roles for different job titles:

  • Principals: Organization Manager role
  • Assistant Principals: Observation Manager, Scheduler, Reporter roles
  • Instructional Coaches: Observer, Form Manager roles
  • Teachers: Observable role

User Permissions

Set organization-wide preferences for:

  • Auto-finalization of observations
  • Message notification settings
  • Invitation and access management
  • Time zone preferences

Class Periods Management

If your organization uses structured class periods, you can configure:

  1. Period names and times
  2. Daily schedules
  3. Block schedule configurations
  4. Special period designations

Evaluation Periods Configuration

For organizations using formal evaluation cycles:

Setting Up Evaluation Periods

  1. Define evaluation period names (e.g., "Fall 2024", "Spring 2025")
  2. Set start and end dates
  3. Assign evaluation periods to specific organizations
  4. Configure observation requirements per period

Managing Active Periods

  • Activate current evaluation periods
  • Archive completed periods
  • Transfer data between periods as needed

System Preferences

Platform-Wide Settings

Configure global preferences that affect all users:

  • Default time zones for scheduling
  • Notification preferences
  • Automatic invitation settings
  • Data retention policies

Module Activation

Enable or disable platform modules:

  • Learn Module: Professional development courses and content
  • Observe Module: Classroom observation tools
  • Reporting Module: Analytics and data visualization

Profile and Account Settings

Administrative Profile Management

Update your administrator profile:

  1. Access your profile settings
  2. Update contact information
  3. Set notification preferences
  4. Configure dashboard display options

Account-Level Configuration

Manage account-wide settings:

  • Billing and subscription information
  • User limits and licensing
  • Integration settings
  • Backup and export preferences

Best Practices

Initial Setup

  1. Start with basic organization structure
  2. Configure content areas relevant to your district
  3. Set up grade levels that match your schools
  4. Establish user roles and permissions
  5. Test settings with a small group before full deployment

Ongoing Management

  • Review settings quarterly
  • Update organizational structures as needed
  • Monitor user access and permissions
  • Archive outdated content areas or grade levels
  • Maintain current evaluation periods

Troubleshooting Common Issues

User Access Problems

If users can't access certain features:

  1. Verify their organizational assignments
  2. Check role permissions
  3. Confirm content area and grade level assignments
  4. Review account suspension status

Configuration Conflicts

When settings don't apply as expected:

  1. Check organizational hierarchy permissions
  2. Verify role inheritance settings
  3. Review time zone configurations
  4. Confirm module activation status

Regular system configuration maintenance ensures PD Edge continues to meet your organization's evolving professional development needs.