Press Releases – Media room

GreatSchools.org launches ratings update California and Michigan

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.
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GreatSchools.org launches new summer learning resources

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.
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New information helps parents understand school district plans for remote and summer learning

GreatSchools.org partners with the Center on Reinventing Public Education to shine the light on what district do — and do not — provide during school closures

OAKLAND, CA (June 15, 2020) — GreatSchools.org, in partnership with the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), launched a new COVID-19 Response section on GreatSchools.org. Parents, advocacy organizations, and education leaders can now find information about how many school districts plan for and deliver distance learning and assess and address learning loss. The information includes how teachers provide instruction, whether or not there are real-time interactions with other students, grading policies, and resources the district does — or doesn’t — provide to address the digital divide. Also included is new information about summer learning opportunities.
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GreatSchools.org launches expanded College Readiness Rating

New information helps parents understand if their children can access high-level courses and Dual Enrollment in community colleges

OAKLAND, CA (December 12, 2019) — GreatSchools.org, a national nonprofit empowering parents with information to unlock educational opportunities for their children, released a new, expanded College Readiness Rating including new data about advanced courses and programs to earn college credits while still attending high school. For the first time, GreatSchools is adding information about Dual Enrollment, or the opportunity for high school students to take college classes earning credits towards an associate degree. Also, parents can now find information about the academically rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program found in many public high schools in communities across the country. Continue reading “”

GreatSchools Unveils New Data on School District Finances

Data can help parents and policymakers advocate for more equitable spending

OAKLAND, CA (December 12, 2019) — GreatSchools.org, a national nonprofit empowering parents with information to unlock educational opportunities for their children, is proud to unveil new data on individual school districts’ revenue and spending. With this update, parents can better understand how a school district allocates its funds and take action to ensure that resources are allocated more equitably. Continue reading “”