T.J. Bucholz, spokesman for the state Department of Education, said he hopes districts use the information to identify areas for improvement. The report adds context to test scores. For example, the site shows that 36 percent of Detroit's students passthe MEAP, below the state average of 54.9 percent. At the same time, the report also shows that only 23.4 percent of economically disadvantaged students pass the MEAP tests, compared to 36.2 percent of students who aren't economically disadvantaged. Almost 68 percent of Detroit's students are poor.
Parents can also compare how their district's finances stack up.
School funding is based on property taxes. When entering the Web site, users will be asked to log in. The information will help the company update the site, Cox said. Users should first click on the user's guide icon, which explains how to navigate the site, then click on the school district for which they want information. It will be running after 10 a.m. today.