|
GreatSchools.net Launches Parent-Friendly Online Guide to Florida Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Rosenthal, GreatSchools
415-977-0700, ext. 123 or 116
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 30, 2002-GreatSchools.net today announced the launch of its new in-depth guide to Florida schools at a state capitol event that included Florida Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan and Florida State PTA President Patty Hightower.
"Parents need access to good information about schools if they are going to do their part to guide and support their children's education," said Lt. Gov. Brogan in his message welcoming GreatSchools.net to Florida. "GreatSchools.net makes it easy-even fun-for parents to stay informed about reading, writing and math scores and other vital statistics about their children's schools."
An independent nonprofit organization, GreatSchools.net provides school profiles and practical advice about how to navigate the K-12 school system. Florida is the fourth state, after Arizona, California and Texas, to benefit from in-depth coverage on GreatSchools.net.
At the capitol event, GreatSchools.net President Bill Jackson demonstrated the unique interactive features that make GreatSchools.net so parent-friendly. These features include comprehensive School Profiles that offer information about student achievement, teacher qualifications and funding; Match School Needs, which enables parents to identify nearby schools with characteristics that are important to them; and My School Stats, a customized email newsletter that keeps parents up-to-date on their school's test scores, funding and other important data.
Enhanced School Profiles, another unique feature, allow principals to augment state-provided data with information about their school's curriculum and special programs. Just in time for summer vacation, the Parent Resource Center provides parents with tips on summer reading and learning activities, in addition to a wide range of articles on other education topics.
"GreatSchools.net transforms educational jargon into a language non-educators can understand," noted Candace Parker, a member of the GreatSchools.net Florida Advisory Council and principal of the new Partin Settlement Elementary School in Kissimmee. "With this outstanding resource, parents and community members can truly become partners in the learning process."
Major funding for GreatSchools.net's Florida School Guide is provided by Washington Mutual and the Challenge Foundation.
#
|
