Edline

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Edline is an online service that many schools use for school and class organization. The service provides hosting and database support for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Edline is aimed at improving communication between parents, students, and teachers.

Notable features of Edline include the ability for students and their parents to check itemized grade reports, report cards, check classroom attendance, homework assignments, and class calendars, and the ability to access documents and presentations that may be used in classes. These features are dependent on the teacher uploading and updating these facilities.

Edline's corporate website claims that its service is used by schools in all 50 U.S. states and has been featured in publications such as Newsweek. Jackson Software, the makers of GradeQuick, and Orbis Software, the makers of Easy Grade Pro, have both been acquired by Edline. While both brand names predate Edline in use and establishment, the corporate website of all three companies have recently changed and now only reflect the Edline brand. Additionally, some products are being bundled and marketed as complete technology solutions.

Edline is used in many schools aiming to have "paper-less" class and homework, thus cutting costs. An activation code is distributed to students and parents to set up their own account. Once activated, it is up to what the instructor wishes to upload online. Such things may include upcoming tests, projects, homework, class expectations, and progress reports.

Edline has been criticized for allowing parents to assume an overbearing role in students' lives by providing instant access to grades and homework assignments, thus removing responsibility from the hands of students. Some students feel as if their parents do not trust them and have to monitor all that they do. In many cases, this has led to strained relationships between parents and students. Some students' grades dropped because they were more focused on mending their family relationships than their schoolwork...which incidentally can start the cycle all over again. However, other news sources and studies have reported cases where parental involvement in a student's education has reduced student stress and increased student achievement.^[1]^[2]

On May 6, 2008, Edline's home page design was updated.

[edit] References and footnotes

^ Wenglinsky, Harold (October 10, 2007). Are Private High Schools Better Academically Than Public High Schools? (English). Center on Education Policy. Retrieved on October 10, 2007.
^ Regan, Tom (February 15, 2006). A PARENTS' HOMEWORK HELPER - ONLINE (English). Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved on February 15, 2006.