The Web can be an incredible tool for advocacy. Streetsblog is an enormously successful example: a news outlet and community hub has transformed NYC's transportation landscape and tipped the scales toward livable streets and neighborhoods.

Today, we announce GothamSchools.org, a major foray into NYC's education scene.

"GothamSchools is a news source and online community for teachers, parents, policy makers, and journalists interested in learning about what works and what doesn’t in the nation’s largest school district. We seek to provide a clearinghouse for New York City school news and commentary, connect teachers and parents with resources, highlight effective practices in policy and pedagogy, and build a participatory knowledge base about education in New York City."

You can expect statistics crunching, up-to-the-minute reporting, and insights into the lives of teachers, students, parents, and principals. And best of all, you can have your say. It's a must-read for the coming school year.

The blog is is written by intrepid wordsmiths Philissa Cramer and Kelly Vaughan. Of the brand new site, Kelly says:

"We've appreciated the feedback of readers and friends (one blog-hating friend says we converted him!) who are responding to our posts and making suggestions about the site.  We're also working on a creative brief to guide the development of a visual identity and an expanded site."

Take a look!