Published: December 27, 2004 12:00 AM, Last Updated: December 26, 2004 2:05 PM

Parents Internet savvy when it comes to picking schools

COWAN - Moving from LaGrange, Ky., to Delaware County, Becca Whittington wanted to make sure she found the right school for her two sons.

After extensive research on the Internet comparing ISTEP+ scores, graduation rates and gleaning information from school Web sites and printed material from her husband's job, Whittington narrowed her search down to four school systems.

"After I figured out where to look, I was looking at the different houses," Whittington said. "We found houses in all four districts."

The Whittingtons settled on Cowan Community Schools.

Parental concern over their children's education is nothing new. But today's parents use the Internet to help them make their school choices, educators say.

"It does seem to be happening more often than it used to, particularly, now that the Internet gives more information to parents," Cowan Supt. Larry John said. "They seem to come in with a pretty good feel of how the school is achieving and how the students are achieving. Within the last five or six years I've noticed that. Before, many parents came in in person. I see a trend now of parents coming in with that information in hand."

Mount Pleasant Township Schools Supt. Mary Ann Irwin agrees the Internet has allowed parents to "prescreen" schools at long distances. Realizing people turn to the school's Web site for information, the corporation recently updated its Web page. A school newsletter is also mailed to local real estate agents.

"People are looking for what fits their family's needs. People have much more choice in where they're choosing to live."

On ERA Eagle Real Estate's Web site, parents can access information on potential schools, real estate agent Patrick Orr said. Orr helped the Whittingtons find their home in Cowan.

"We have a link that's called Neighborhood Snapshot," Orr said. "It shows a map of the area, the neighborhood, housing, schools, crime statistics. The data has never been available. People do a lot of research way before they even start talking to real estate agents."

According to Orr, it's illegal for real estate agents to give opinions on school districts.

Before choosing a district, parents are also interested in the curriculum and extracurricular activities schools offer their students.

"We have more ways to communicate what is offered through the Internet," Mitchell Elementary School Principal Cindy Iavagnilio said.

Contact news reporter Oseye T. Boyd at 213-5830.

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