Education unveils Web redesign

The Education Department launched a revised Web site Oct. 16 that features customized pages for educators and families, an improved search engine and the ability for visitors to personalize the information they see.

The new site (still located at {http://www.ed.gov} www.ed.gov) organizes information under five categories: grants and contracts; financial aid; education resources; research and statistics; and policy. Tabs for each section are located near the top of the home page, and there are links to specific subjects under each category.

The new site offers customized pages for teachers, principals, parents, students and higher education institutions, providing information directly relevant to those users. In addition, individual visitors can personalize the site to obtain new information on topics they choose.

Information from the previous site will remain available on the new one, including news releases, reports and studies, statistics, budget request information and job opportunities.

"This redesigned site can help reduce the time teachers, parents and others spend looking for information so they can spend more time using it to help children learn," Education Secretary Rod Paige said in a news release.

The redesign reflects comments submitted from users via an online survey, according to the department. The Oct. 16 unveiling represents an initial redesign phase, and a second phase will begin soon in which more improvements will be made, according to the department. Visitors can sign up for weekly updates announcing new additions to the site.

According to the department, Education's Web site averages more than 1 million visitors and 12 million page views a month, making it one of the top 10 most-popular government sites.