Pearson Prevent Founder to Discuss Groundbreaking Early Warning Dropout Prevention Software At 21st Annual National Dropout Prevention Network Conference

Pearson Director for Student Growth Gary Hensley Available at Booth #4

San Antonio, TX October 26, 2009 -- WHO: Gary Hensley, founder of the data-driven, early warning dropout prevention software program, Prevent, and director for student growth at Pearson

WHERE: 21st Annual National Dropout Prevention Network Conference; Crown Plaza Hotel Riverwalk, 111 Pecan Street East, San Antonio, Texas, Booth #4

WHAT: Pearson's new software program, Prevent, aggregates the most relevant and predictive student information data points to pinpoint which students are mostly likely to drop out of school. By pulling together readily available data contained on current student information systems, including, but not limited to, a student's grade point average, discipline history, attendance and grade level, Prevent provides an early warning system for educators and helps them determine where to spend their time most effectively to prevent students from leaving school without a diploma.

WHY: Currently, 1.2 million students dropout each year, which is the equivalent of 7,000 students a day. This increasing dropout rate represents a national crisis for America's economic future, as students who do not earn a high school diploma earn up to 80 percent less than their degree-earning peers. In addition, the National Center for Education Statistics figures show nearly one in three ninth graders (26.8 percent) at public high schools are not earning their diplomas in four years.

For more information on Prevent, visit http://education.pearsonassessments.com/prevent or call 800.228.0752, option 5.

To meet with Gary Hensley at the conference or to learn more about Prevent, contact Adam Gaber with Pearson at 212.641.6118 or adam.gaber (at) pearson (dot) com