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Fifth Annual National School Change Award Presented To Six U.S. Schools For Dramatic Change In Student Outcome

NEW YORK, NY , July 15, 2004 – Six schools across the U.S. are winners of the Fifth Annual National School Change Award, which recognizes schools that have demonstrated significant change. Fordham University Graduate School of Education, Pearson Education and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) are joint sponsors of the Awards.

The winning schools are:

  •  Rolling Hills Elementary School, Orlando, FL
  •  Westminster Academy School No. 26 -- Elizabeth, NJ
  •  Dr. Michael Conti, PS #5, Jersey City, NJ
  •  Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, Upton, MA
  •  South Heights Elementary School, Henderson, KY
  •  Ridgecrest Elementary School, Houston, TX

Each winning school receives a $5,000 grant, and participates in an awards presentation held at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan on July 15. Marjorie Scardino, Chief Executive of Pearson plc, will be the keynote speaker and will present the winners with their $5,000 grant awards. Hans Meeder, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department of Education, will also be in attendance at the ceremony.

A blue-ribbon committee of judges chose the 2004 winners. These judges are from a wide range of disciplines, including education, corporate and non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups. Responding to 16 specific criteria, each school had to demonstrate that they have experienced substantial change.

These school-wide changes, driven by the principals at their respective schools, must reflect sharp increases in student achievement as measured by both internal (portfolios, grades, exhibitions, etc.) and external (district, state or national exams/standards) evaluations. There must be documented increases in such criteria as high school graduation rates, college acceptances, job placements, etc., as well as school recognition and awards for improved performance.

"What we are most proud of is that over the course of the last four years, at least 250 schools from 38 different states have taken a serious look at themselves," said Dr. Lew Smith, Director of the School Change Awards and the Associate Dean for Program Development and Outreach at Fordham University's Graduate School of Education. "By recognizing where they were, where they are and where they're going, these schools are armed with the knowledge and courage required to build better schools for tomorrow."

About The Fordham University Graduate School of Education
Ranked in the top fifty in the nation, The Fordham University Graduate School of Education is recognized for its excellent degree programs, research endeavors, innovative initiatives, wide range of partnerships, and strong presence in both non-public and public schools.

About Pearson Education
Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson Education is the global leader in educational publishing. With brands such as Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Longman, Pearson Addison Wesley, and many others, Pearson Education provides quality content, assessment tools and educational services in all available media, spanning the learning curve from birth through college and beyond. Pearson Education is part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the international media company. Pearson's primary operations also include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.

AASA
Founded in 1865, the American Association of School Administrators is the professional organization for over 14,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.

Media Contact
Pearson Education
Rod Granger
212-782-3486
rod.granger@pearsoned.com

Fordham:
Dr. Lew Smith
lewsmith@fordham.edu
(212) 636-6433