SchoolRack provides educators, parents and students with a helpful web-based tool that keeps communication open even after class has been dismissed. The service is offered as a free option to maintain a website or blog to assist in furthering education. Aside from sending messages, users can also share documents, grades, and other items over the internet.

Visit www.schoolrack.com

Originally created in November of 2004, SchoolRack was created as a free service for teachers of kindergarten through high school. The tools included were intended to assist teachers and students after hours. Easy access through the internet was also considered ideal because students could get assistance and manage grades in a safe place. Today, SchoolRack still holds to this original goal, offering a free way for teachers, students, parents and guardians to stay connected after class.

The internet makes communication simple. Email, blogs and chat programs are fast and free; however these are not always designed with education in mind. SchoolRack offers something different because it is created with the intention of providing students and educators a free way to get in touch without posting messages, grades or other sensitive details on public forums. Teachers can utilize tools tailored to their purposes to share information, answer questions and get in touch with parents when necessary.

SchoolRack does not throw flashy, distracting ads at users. Instead, colorful menus make navigating the site a pleasant experience. All the necessary links are found on the homepage, including a login for parents and another for students. The site is neat and easy to use, even a young student should have no trouble logging in and accessing SchoolRack features.

The registration process is relatively easy. Simply click the sign up link on the top of the homepage then choose the type of access needed (teacher, student or parent). The teacher account option requires users to select from the free or paid membership options while the student and parent accounts skip this step. First and last name, email address, a password, and username must be entered for all accounts.

Teachers logging in to SchoolRack must select one of the two membership options available. The site is offered for free, but the free account comes with limitations. Teaches can utilize up to five pages, 100 MBs of storage space, up to 5 assignments, 1 mailing list, and unlimited discussion topics with the free account. For under $6 per month, a premium plus account can be purchased. The upgrade includes unlimited pages, 500 MB of storage, unlimited assignments and discussion topics, up to 3 mailing lists, photo albums, clip art, and bonus themes.

Parents, teachers, and students can appreciate what SchoolRack has to offer. Teachers can especially appreciate the free account option that permits access to SchoolRack tools without the cost. Parents and guardians can get more involved in their children’s education by keeping in touch with teachers. Communication can often help solve misunderstanding and clarify problem areas that must be addressed while learning. Anyone involved in education can utilize SchoolRack features to enhance the learning experience.

• Login categories that allow private communication that does not require personal details, grades or other private information to be posted publicly on the internet
• File sharing tools that permit teachers with a wide range of resources
• Online grade reporting that gives parents instant access to their child’s progress so problems can be addressed right away
• Discussion features that allow for a real time chat between teachers, students and parents over the internet
• Online assignment grading and collection that allows teachers to manage student progress easily
• Mailing lists that can be used to send out group-specific updates and announcements
• Student and parent collaboration tool that allows teachers to group students and parents and share information to a specific group

Visit www.schoolrack.com