District, school, and classroom web pages are more than novelties; they are tools for public relations, communication, and student achievement. Where else can parents, students, and community members find out everything that is going on in their districts so easily? Because web pages have become such important tools, it is essential that guidelines are developed to help ensure that what is published on district web pages is aligned with district policies.

Generic Web Page Guidelines were created by local technology directors from Eaton, Clinton, and Ingham counties. Other school districts are welcome to use the guidelines in their entirety or change them to fit their own use.

It's important that district pages have a similar look and feel, that they do not contain outdated information (last month's lunch menu), and that they adhere to guidelines that may be outlined in the district's acceptable use policy. The Plano ISD School Web Page Guidelines offers guidelines to these issues and more.

From Now On, an online journal published by Jamie McKenzie, contains an excellent article entitled Designing School Web Sites to Deliver. It contains several resources to help schools design sites that are useful and appropriate.