Compass Learn & Support

Compass Learn & Support

Find practical help for setting up Compass, adding plans or logs, checking coverage, using Plus features, and generating reports.

Start with the basics Browse all guides Back to Compass overview
Start here
The basic Compass loop
Classes → plans/logs → coverage/reports
Start here
ProvinceBritish Columbia
ClassEnglish 7/8
TrackingLevels 3 + 4

Add classes or subjects

Add or manage the classes, subjects, grades, and curriculum sources you want to track.

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Plan workspace
Trading Post Sim.Planned
Novel circlesTaught
Fractions reviewTo Do

Add what you planned or taught

Use Add Plan for planning records, or Quick Log when you just need to record what happened.

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Reports
Coverage SummaryGenerate →

Check coverage and reports

See what is To Do, Planned, or Taught, then generate a clean record when needed.

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Guide library
Browse Compass help topics
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Getting Started

6 guides
What is Compass? Overview2 minQuick + walkthrough

Compass helps teachers track curriculum coverage across planned and taught work. It shows what has been taught, what is scheduled, and what still needs attention.

What Compass helps with

Coverage visibilitySee what is To Do, Planned, or Taught for a selected class or subject.
Planning recordsAdd plans, logs, or Smart Scan matches so coverage is connected to actual teaching work.
ReportsCreate basic coverage records and, with Plus, family summaries or comment starters.

Visual reference

Compass Home dashboard
The Home dashboard gives teachers a quick view of coverage across their classes.
Do I need CARL to use Compass? Standalone1 minQuick answer

No. Compass is part of the CARL family of teacher tools, but you do not need CARL lesson planning to use Compass.

Future integration will make it easier to move between Compass coverage needs and CARL planning support.

Good to know: Compass tracks curriculum coverage and planning records. CARL supports lesson and unit creation.
What’s the difference between Free and Plus? PlansPlus2 minQuick answer

Free includes the core tracking workflow. Plus adds Smart Scan, Plan Ideas, and extra reports.

FreeCore coverage tracking, Manual Entry / Quick Log, basic reports, and one custom curriculum source.
PlusSmart Scan for uploaded or pasted plans, Plan Ideas, Family Learning Summary, and Leveled Report Card Comment Starters.
How do I add classes or subjects? Start HereClasses3 minFull walkthrough

Use Manage Classes & Subjects to add or adjust the classes, subjects, grades, and curriculum sources you want to track.

When to use this

Use this guide when you are setting up Compass for the first time, adding another class or subject, or adjusting a class after setup.

Basic steps

  1. Start with your curriculum context. During first setup, choose your province or curriculum source, then choose your subjects and grades.
  2. Confirm what levels Compass should track. Levels 3 and 4 are selected by default. Levels 1 and 2 are reference/context levels unless you choose otherwise.
  3. Create your first workspace. Compass creates the first class or subject workspace from your setup choices.
  4. Add more later. Open Manage Classes & Subjects from the Plan page subject selector or from Settings.
  5. Review, rename, duplicate, archive, or add sections. The management screen is where class and subject admin actions belong.
Good to know: If you teach multiple blocks of the same course, duplicating a class should copy the curriculum setup but keep coverage records separate.

Visual walkthrough

The first setup flow helps Compass create your first class or subject workspace.
Compass Manage Classes and Subjects screen
Manage Classes & Subjects is where teachers can add, review, or adjust classes and subjects.
What are tracking levels? Curriculum2 minQuick answer

Tracking levels are the layers of the curriculum hierarchy. Levels 3 and 4 can count toward coverage. Levels 1 and 2 are shown as reference/context unless otherwise enabled.

Level 3Larger assessable outcomes, such as learning outcomes, standards, specific expectations, or competencies.
Level 4More specific content, topics, key concepts, knowledge, skills, or procedural details when present in the source.
Levels 1 and 2Read-only context, such as strands, organizing ideas, guiding questions, domains, themes, or big ideas.
Good to know: Level 4 is especially useful in subjects where specific skills, concepts, or content details matter, like math.
What are guidance notes? Curriculum1 minQuick answer

Guidance notes are reference information connected to a curriculum item. They help teachers understand a standard, but they are not tracked as coverage items.

Guidance notes may include official notes, examples, clarifications, or supporting context. They are helpful for teacher understanding, but they do not count as separate coverage items.

Plan Workspace

5 guides
How do To Do, Planned, and Taught work? StatusesCoverage3 minFull walkthrough

To Do, Planned, and Taught show where each curriculum item sits in your coverage workflow.

Status meanings

To DoNo confirmed planned or taught record is attached yet.
PlannedThe item is connected to a confirmed plan with a calendar date.
TaughtThe teacher has marked the item as taught.
UnscheduledA plan exists, but it is saved for later and does not count toward coverage yet.
Needs ReviewCompass suggested matches, but the teacher has not confirmed them yet.

Coverage priority

  1. Taught comes first. If at least one confirmed active plan is marked Taught, the item shows as Taught.
  2. Planned comes next. If there is no taught plan but there is a dated confirmed plan, the item shows as Planned.
  3. Everything else stays To Do. Unscheduled or unconfirmed matches do not count until the teacher reviews and confirms them.

Visual reference

Compass Plan workspace showing To Do, Planned, and Taught statuses
The Plan workspace shows the coverage status for the selected class or subject.
How do I add a plan? Plan WorkspaceCore Workflow4 minFull walkthrough

Use Add Plan when you want to add something you are planning, have already taught, or want to save for later.

Choose the right path

Manual EntryAdd basic plan information, choose curriculum items yourself, and mark the record as Planned, Taught, or saved for later.
Upload PlanPlus users can upload a PDF, Word document, image, or scan so Smart Scan can suggest curriculum matches.
Paste TextPlus users can paste a lesson, unit outline, or notes so Smart Scan can suggest matches.

Basic steps

  1. Open Add Plan from the Plan page. Choose the method that matches what you have.
  2. Add the plan details. Include a title, class or subject, optional notes, and the status you want to use.
  3. Choose curriculum manually or review Smart Scan suggestions. Nothing counts until the teacher confirms it.
  4. Save as Planned, Taught, or saved for later. Dated Planned/Taught records update the coverage view.
Privacy note: If you upload a file, Compass may save the filename for your reference only. The original file itself is not saved.

Visual reference

Compass Add Plan screen with Manual Entry, Upload Plan, and Paste Text options
Add Plan gives teachers manual and Smart Scan options for adding planning records.
How do I use Quick Log? Fast EntryTaught Record3 minFull walkthrough

Quick Log is the fastest way to add a teaching record.

When to use Quick Log

Use Quick Log when you do not need to upload a plan or write a detailed record. It is designed for quick coverage logging.

Basic steps

  1. Open Quick Log from the Plan page. This opens the fast entry workflow.
  2. Select what you covered. Choose the curriculum items connected to the lesson or activity.
  3. Choose when it happened. Use Today, Yesterday, or pick a date.
  4. Add an optional title or note. Keep it short. The goal is a useful teaching record, not a full lesson plan.
  5. Save the log. The selected items can update the coverage view once confirmed.
Good to know: Quick Log is especially useful when you covered something informally and want Compass to remember it.

Visual walkthrough

Quick Log lets teachers add a short teaching record, choose curriculum items, and save the right status.
What is Cover This? Planning Help1 minQuick answer

Cover This appears on uncovered curriculum items. Use it to log a plan for that item, or use Plan Ideas to have Compass suggest planning ideas connected to that curriculum need.

Add a planUse this when you already know what you want to teach or have a plan to attach.
Quick LogUse this when you already taught the item and want to record it.
Plan IdeasUse this when you want Compass to suggest planning ideas for the uncovered item.
How do I find plans I’ve already added? Records2 minQuick + walkthrough

Use Recent Activity to review plans, logs, archived items, and coverage updates you have added to Compass.

Where to find it

  1. Open Recent Activity from the Home page or profile dropdown. This is the main place to review previous records.
  2. Look for the plan or log you need. Records may include manual entries, Quick Logs, uploaded scans, and saved-for-later items.
  3. Review the status and curriculum links. Check whether the record is Planned, Taught, Unscheduled, Archived, or Needs Review.
  4. Take action if needed. Depending on the final product flow, actions may include viewing details, editing, scheduling, archiving, restoring, or deleting.

Visual reference

Compass Recent Activity screen
Recent Activity helps teachers find planning and coverage records they have already added.

Plus Features

3 guides
How does Smart Scan work? PlusSmart Scan5 minFull walkthrough

Smart Scan is a Plus feature that suggests curriculum matches from an uploaded plan or pasted text.

Basic steps

  1. Choose Upload Plan or Paste Text from Add Plan. Smart Scan is available through both paths.
  2. Compass scans the content. It compares the plan or pasted text against the curriculum items in the selected class or subject.
  3. Review the suggested matches. Teachers can check, uncheck, adjust, or add curriculum items manually.
  4. Use “Why this match?” when needed. This helps teachers understand why Compass suggested a particular curriculum connection.
  5. Confirm what counts. Suggestions do not update coverage until the teacher confirms them.
Privacy note: Compass does not store original lesson files. It may save the uploaded file name for your reference, so you can find the original file again.

Visual walkthrough

This walkthrough shows how to add a plan with Smart Scan, review suggested curriculum matches, and confirm what counts.

Why this match?

Compass Smart Scan match explanation showing why a curriculum item was suggested
Smart Scan can show why Compass suggested a curriculum match so teachers can make the final decision.
How do I use Plan Ideas? PlusPlan Ideas5 minFull walkthrough

Plan Ideas helps teachers generate lightweight planning suggestions for uncovered curriculum items.

Where to open it

You can open Plan Ideas from Cover This on an uncovered curriculum item, or from the blue sidebar option where Compass can suggest plans.

Basic steps

  1. Select what you need to cover. If you opened Plan Ideas through Cover This, that curriculum item should already be selected.
  2. Review the suggestions. Compass shows lightweight planning ideas connected to the selected curriculum target.
  3. Check additional matches. Some ideas may also cover other curriculum items, which can help teachers plan more efficiently.
  4. Open details before saving. Review the topic, main goal, success indicators, and target curriculum.
  5. Save for later or schedule. Teachers decide whether an idea is useful and how it should enter their planning record.
Teacher note: Plan Ideas are starting points, not finished lessons. Teachers should adjust them for class context.
Pro tip: If you want to turn a Compass idea into a full CARL lesson, copy the Main Goal and Success Indicators into CARL as your starting prompt. That gives CARL a clear target while leaving room for you to adjust the lesson.

Visual walkthrough

This walkthrough shows how to use Cover This and Plan Ideas to generate planning suggestions for uncovered curriculum items.

Screenshot reference

Compass Cover This option leading to Plan Ideas
Cover This lets teachers act on an uncovered curriculum item.
Compass Plan Ideas results showing suggested plans and curriculum fit
Plan Ideas shows suggested planning options and additional curriculum matches.
What reports are Plus-only? PlusReports2 minQuick answer

Plus reports add AI-supported communication and reporting tools on top of the basic coverage reports.

Plus report options

Family Learning SummaryA plain-language overview for family communication. This can help teachers explain what the class has been working on in a family-friendly way.
Leveled Report Card Comment StartersGeneral comment starters based on class-level coverage, organized by achievement level. These are starting points and should be reviewed and personalized before use.
Teacher review required: Plus reports are starting points based on class-level coverage, not individual student data.

Visual reference

Compass Family Learning Summary report preview
Family Learning Summary gives a plain-language overview for family communication.
Compass Leveled Report Card Comment Starters preview
Comment Starters provide editable starting points based on class-level coverage.

Reports & Records

3 guides
How do I generate reports? ReportsPlus Reports5 minFull walkthrough

The Reports page helps teachers create clean records of what has been planned, taught, or still needs attention.

Basic reports

Coverage SummaryA high-level view of overall coverage, taught items, planned items, to-do items, total tracked items, and coverage by tracking level.
Detailed BreakdownA curriculum-by-curriculum table showing each item, its level, current status, and how many plans are linked.
Plan LogA chronological record of plans and logs, including dates and statuses such as Planned, Taught, or Archived.

Plus reports

Family Learning SummaryA plain-language overview for family communication.
Leveled Report Card Comment StartersGeneral comment starters based on class-level coverage, not individual student data.

Basic steps

  1. Open Reports. Choose the class and reporting range.
  2. Select a report type. Choose one of the basic reports or a Plus report.
  3. Generate and review. Use the report as a record or starting point, then review before sharing.

Visual reference

Compass Reports page showing available report types
The Reports page includes basic coverage reports and Plus report options.
Compass Family Learning Summary report preview
Family Learning Summary gives a plain-language overview for family communication.
Compass Leveled Report Card Comment Starters preview
Comment Starters are organized by achievement level and should be edited before use.
What are Comment Starters? PlusComment Starters2 minQuick answer

Leveled Report Card Comment Starters are general draft comments based on the content and curriculum covered in class.

Important: Comment Starters are based on class-level coverage, not individual student data. Teacher review and personalization are required before use.
Compass Leveled Report Card Comment Starters preview
Comment Starters are organized by achievement level and should be edited before use.
Where do I find my records? Records2 minQuick answer

Your records are available through Recent Activity.

You can open Recent Activity from the profile dropdown or from the Home page. It shows the plans, logs, archived items, and coverage updates you have added to Compass.

Compass Recent Activity screen
Recent Activity is the main place to review previous planning and coverage activity.

Account & Privacy

2 guides
Does Compass store my lesson files? Privacy2 minQuick answer

No. Compass does not store original lesson files. It may temporarily read uploaded or pasted content to suggest curriculum matches.

Original filesCompass does not store original lesson files.
Filename referenceIf you upload a file for Smart Scan, Compass may save the file name for your reference only so you can find the original on your computer again.
AI trainingSaved Compass records are not used for AI training.
Student informationPlease remove student names or personal information before uploading.
Who can see my data? Privacy2 minQuick answer

By default, your Compass planning data is for you. Class sharing is view-only for the person receiving the share link.

Sharing is not limited to Plus, but the person receiving the link cannot edit your workspace through that share.

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