America Online Launches "Sign Up Your School" Campaign for Free Customized School Web Sites

Strategic Insights -

America Online, in partnership with the FamilyEducation Network, has kicked off a nationwide campaign to provide free customized school web sites to every school in the country. The "Sign Up Your School" program aims to improve communication between parents and educators by harnessing the power of the Internet. The campaign, a key element of "Back to School@AOL," is designed to raise awareness among parents and teachers about the availability of these free web sites. By signing up, schools will receive a customized web site, allowing parents to communicate directly with their child's teacher through e-mail and chat. The web site will also provide valuable information for parents, such as school event listings, activities, and PTA meeting notes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The "Sign Up Your School" campaign is a joint effort between America Online and the FamilyEducation Network to provide free customized school web sites to every school in the country.
  • The campaign aims to improve communication between parents and educators by harnessing the power of the Internet.
  • The customized web sites will allow parents to communicate directly with their child's teacher through e-mail and chat.
  • Parents will also have access to valuable information such as school event listings, activities, and PTA meeting notes.
  • The campaign will run from August 25, 1998, to October 31, 1998.
  • Participating schools will be entered into a drawing to win one of 150 free AOL accounts for a year.
  • Every school signing up with FEN during this back to school season will receive a video with important information about Internet safety for children.
  • FEN has built a network of web sites for schools throughout the country, allowing parents to communicate directly with their child's teacher.
  • The FamilyEducation Network has a unique public/private alliance with leading grass roots education organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the National PTA, and the National School Boards Association (NSBA).
  • The program is provided at no cost to school districts through private sector partners like AT&T Learning Network, Fleet Financial Group, and Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley.
  • The "Sign Up Your School" campaign is part of the larger "Back to School@AOL" initiative, which offers a comprehensive online resource for parents and kids going back to school.

Statistics:

  • 43% of AOL's 12.5 million households have children ages 6-17, making back to school a busy time for many members.
  • AOL's Homework Helpers answer over 1 million questions per week.
  • Over 335 school districts have signed onto the FamilyEducation Network's initiative in just over 12 months.
  • These districts represent a total of 2,855 schools.
  • The FamilyEducation Network has built a network of web sites for schools throughout the country, with over 12,000 registered teachers and 30,000 registered parents.
  • The program has received support from leading grass roots education organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the National PTA, and the National School Boards Association (NSBA).

Sources:

  • Business Wire, August 25, 1998
  • America Online Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • FamilyEducation Network Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • AT&T Learning Network Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • Fleet Financial Group Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • Peterson's Guide to Colleges Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • Digital City Press Release, August 25, 1998
  • ICQ Press Release, August 25, 1998