#United States #Oakland #Education Initiative #GreatSchools #Carnegie Corporation

GreatSchools Integrates Library Data Into Education Platform

GreatSchools, a prominent nonprofit that provides school information, has announced a groundbreaking initiative funded by a
$1.5 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This project aims to integrate public library data into its established educational platform, thus enhancing the resources available to families across the United States.

A New Vision for Educational Resources

The key idea behind this new funding is to offer families a comprehensive overview of educational options within their local communities. By embedding public library information into GreatSchools.org, parents will have access not only to details about various schools but also to essential resources that support children's learning activities outside the classroom. This overhaul is intended to illuminate the fuller educational ecosystem that affects children's growth and development.

As CEO Jon Deane shares, "Where you learn goes beyond the classroom." This sentiment underscores the initiative's goal to emphasize how critical public libraries are in children's education. By showcasing library information, GreatSchools aims to present parents with a thorough understanding of their local educational environments.

Connecting Community Assets

The project is positioned as the first of its kind nationally, aiming to bridge the gap between school data and library information. The collaboration between GreatSchools and the Carnegie Corporation reflects a mutual vision of promoting better educational outcomes through transparency and informed decision-making. Ambika Kapur, Program Director of Education at Carnegie, highlights the underappreciated role of public libraries as essential centers for learning. She states, "Public libraries are essential yet often under-recognized centers of learning."

Importance of Public Libraries

While public libraries have long provided resources such as books, family literacy programs, after-school clubs, and civic engagement opportunities, they remain underutilized, especially in communities that require them the most. With this integration, GreatSchools aims to enhance awareness and ease the navigation of educational options available to families.

Features of the New Initiative

To facilitate this initiative, GreatSchools will create dedicated profiles for public libraries nationwide, enabling Library staff to update information about their programs directly on the platform. Additionally, user-friendly content will be published to educate families about library services and encourage them to leverage these free resources fully.

The platform will serve as a hub for school and library data, providing valuable insights into available learning supports in respective communities.

GreatSchools is committed to empowering parents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their children's education. This mission aligns with their longstanding efforts to reduce educational inequities and support a quality educational experience for all students.

About GreatSchools

Established as a leader in nonprofit educational information, GreatSchools provides valuable data that assists parents, schools, and communities in understanding education quality in their areas. It serves nearly half of all K-12 families annually, guiding them through the educational landscape with insights and ratings informed by comprehensive data from all 51 state departments of education and federal resources.

Conclusion

As GreatSchools embarks on this transformative initiative, the integration of public library data signifies a meaningful step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive educational ecosystem. By acknowledging the importance of various community resources, this collaboration will ultimately help parents make better decisions for their children's learning and development, creating a promising future for the next generation of learners.

To learn more about GreatSchools and stay updated on this initiative, visit GreatSchools.org.

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