The 7-episode season explores the science behind raising resilient and happy children.

OAKLAND, CA (October 8, 2020) — Educational nonprofit GreatSchools.org, has launched a new season of Like a Sponge, its podcast for parents about the science of how children learn and thrive. Distributed by Public Radio Exchange (PRX), with support from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, this 7-episode season takes on an increasingly urgent question: How to raise children with the character strengths they need to become kind, caring and responsible citizens?

New ratings emphasize equity and elevate student academic progress, or “growth,” as a key measure of school quality.

OAKLAND, CA (September 24, 2020) — GreatSchools.org, the leading provider of school information, is launching updated Equity and Summary Ratings for K-12 public schools across the nation today. The new methodology gives parents, advocacy organizations, and other community stakeholders a view of school quality that prioritizes equitable outcomes. The new Equity Rating will now include student growth and college readiness metrics in addition to proficiency rates. The Summary Rating will also shift to emphasize student growth relative to test score performance in order to focus on how well schools are helping students learn each school year.
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The new partnership will deliver grade-based newsletters to parents, helping build community and support student success in kindergarten through high school graduation.

OAKLAND, CA (August 13, 2020) — GreatSchools.org, a national nonprofit providing parents with information to guide their children to great futures, and Stockton Unified School District announced today their new collaboration to help parents support their child’s learning by delivering weekly grade-based newsletters in English and in Spanish. This resource aims to extend the impact of the classroom, grow the connection between school and home, and help parents support their child’s academic, social, and emotional learning and well-being for the 2020-2021 school year.

New ratings emphasize educational equity and elevate student academic progress, or “growth,” as a measure of school quality

OAKLAND, CA (August 13, 2020) — GreatSchools.org, the leading provider of school information, is launching an updated Equity Rating and Summary Rating for most K-12 schools in California and Michigan. The new methodology, piloted first in Michigan and California with a national launch planned for the fall, will give parents, advocacy organizations, and other community stakeholders a more nuanced view of school quality that prioritizes equitable outcomes. The new Equity Rating will now include student growth and college readiness metrics in addition to proficiency rates. The Summary Rating will also shift to emphasize student growth relative to standardized test scores.

New grade-based summer learning program to help families curb summer slide during COVID-19

OAKLAND, CA (July 1, 2020) — GreatSchools.org announced new, free grade-based summer learning calendars, materials, and activities to help families support learning at home during the summer months amid the coronavirus crisis. The four week program is designed to help children from kindergarten through fifth grade practice important skills, build on what they learned this past year, and get ready for the next school year.