CMS Editing Dos and Don’ts
Audience: Teachers and Administrators trained in CMS editing
Accelerate Education provides a highly customizable curriculum and empowers programs to modify course materials to meet local curricular and student needs. For programs requiring deeper customization beyond what the Learning Management System (LMS) allows, the Content Management System (CMS) offers advanced editing capabilities.
Important: This article is intended for use after completing the required CMS training and receiving appropriate credentials. It is not a step-by-step guide to CMS access or editing.
✅ Do: Assign CMS access thoughtfully
❌ Don’t: Grant access to too many users
CMS access should be limited to a select group—ideally curriculum specialists or designated instructional leaders directly involved in content decisions.
Allowing too many users to make edits can lead to confusion, overlapping changes, and mistakes. In some cases, extensive errors may require re-importing a fresh copy of the course, which erases all previous customizations.
✅ Do: Plan your edits, track changes, and proceed carefully
❌ Don’t: Skip planning, fail to track edits, or rush the process
CMS editing takes time and forethought. Start by identifying high-priority edits, and always use a tracking system to document your changes. This will be especially helpful when future updates are released—you’ll know exactly what needs to be reapplied.
Take it slow at first. As you become more familiar with the CMS, your editing efficiency will improve.
✅ Do: Understand the impact of CMS edits
❌ Don’t: Overlook the implications of making changes
When a CMS edit is published, the content’s original GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) is replaced. This disconnects that content from future Accelerate Education updates.
Programs should weigh the benefits of customizations against the potential loss of future automated updates.
✅ Do: Duplicate lessons before editing
❌ Don’t: Delete original lessons
Before making any edits, duplicate the lesson. Then hide or unpublish the original version. If changes need to be undone, you can easily revert by republishing the original.
Deleting the original lesson removes your safety net and may require a full course re-import to recover it.
✅ Do: Reach out when you need support
❌ Don’t: Hesitate to ask for help
CMS editing has a learning curve, and questions are normal. Your Client Service Manager is here to help.
We’re committed to your success—never hesitate to reach out for guidance.