Upper Saddle River, N.J. - October 31, 2005 -- Teams of educators from four middle schools across the U.S. have been chosen as winners of the 10th annual "Teams That Make A Difference Award," which identifies individuals who work to improve the education and well being of adolescents. Education publisher Pearson Prentice Hall and the National Middle School Association (NMSA) are joint sponsors of the Awards.

The 2005 winning schools are:

• Simmons Middle School, Aberdeen, S.D.
• C.L. Phelps Middle School, Ishpeming, MI
• Eisenhower Middle School, Everett, WA
• Billings Middle School, Seattle, WA

The awards focus on teams that created a program, activity, or strategy to improve academic achievement or connect adolescents with their community. Teams are not simply groups of teachers. They may, and often do, include students, parents, administrators, and community members. Judging is done by a qualified panel of middle level practitioners. Each team will present its winning program at the National Middle School Association’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA, on November 3-5, 2005.

"The wonderful teams at these four schools demonstrate an important lesson for all of us: working together, we can achieve great things," said Martha Smith, President, Pearson Education School Group.

"One of the most important elements in middle school education is teaming. Educators working together to provide a quality program for adolescents provide a tremendous benefit to their community and school," said Sue Swaim, NMSA Executive Director.

Simmons Middle School’s Community Connections program engaged 152 eighth graders in an interdisciplinary project to produce a trail guide for the community that would educate citizens historically, environmentally, and culturally. The project revolved around Moccasin Creek, which flows through Aberdeen. The teams developed a study of the creek’s ecosystem intertwined with local history, flora, fauna, and geography along the Missouri River. One particular historical perspective, connected to the Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition through South Dakota, helped students develop a greater awareness of the discoveries and hardships of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A project of this size required cooperation from every team member, as well as good planning, well-orchestrated time management, and sound behavior management.

C.L. Phelps Middle School’s seventh grade students became teachers through an eight-week-long cross-curricular thematic course focusing on the Holocaust. The program involved students, staff, parents, pre-service teachers, and the community. Holocaust survivors gave first-hand accounts of peoples’ inhumanity to each other and, at the same time, their resilience in the face of adversity. Over the last eight years, participating students have become more tolerant of others and better citizens.

Billings Middle School pioneered a program, Education for a Sustainable Future, with a focus on air quality issues in the community, integrating science, math, technology, humanities, social studies, and community service. Connected with the goals of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2006, the program is supported by a strong working relationship with scientists, decision-makers and international partner schools. Student action was coordinated with government agencies, and students are empowered to take a leadership role in education in the wider community. Student interest in science and community service has also increased, as measured by pre- and post project surveys.

Eisenhower Middle School developed a Professional Learning Community, using adult teams A School Health Council was formed to promote a healthy school, and focus on staff wellness, increase student fitness and improve the nutritional value of student food and beverage choices. The team made it possible to take on major tasks such as improving the nutritional food choices in the cafeteria. The results showed the school made tremendous gains in its capacity to promote coordinated school health and student academics improved dramatically.

All winning schools receive a $3,000 cash award from Pearson Prentice Hall; a one-year individual membership in NMSA for up to four team members; a $100 coupon for NMSA publications; and free registration, lodging and social event tickets at the NMSA Annual Conference.

About National Middle School Association

National Middle School Association is the nation’s largest professional organization serving educators and parents who work with 10 to 15 year olds. With over 30,000 members, it provides professional development, has initiated Month of the Young Adolescent, and disseminates information on this age group. For more information visit www.nmsa.org

About Pearson Education

Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson Education (www.pearsoned.com) is the global leader in educational publishing, providing scientifically research-based print and digital programs to help students of all ages learn at their own pace, in their own way. Virtually all students in America learn from a Pearson program at some point in their educational career. In the U.S., nearly 25,000 schools use Pearson technology to help instruct preK-12 students and manage how they are doing. Pearson provides schools customizable services to create, deliver, score and report educational assessments, both in print and online, that help promote learning. The company is home to such renowned publishing brands as Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Scott Foresman, Pearson Early Learning, Pearson Digital Learning, Pearson Learning Group, and Family Education Network. Pearson Education is part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the international media company. In addition to Pearson Education, Pearson’s primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group

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