Santa Monica, CA - December 7, 2005 -LessonLab, part of Pearson Achievement Solutions, and a pioneer in education research and professional development for K-12 educators, is working with five of the top Ohio universities to offer mathematics professional development to teachers. Participating schools include Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Miami University, The Ohio State University and Wright State University. The program is funded by the Ohio Department of Education.

Beginning in January, 2006, Ohio's K-9 teachers can enroll at each of these universities in LessonLab's BreakThrough Mathematics professional development programs, earning up to six graduate credits towards achieving their "highly qualified" status as required by the No Child Left Behind law. Teachers can also fulfill annual recertification requirements, or earn credits toward a graduate degree. Tuition is substantially discounted for teachers enrolling in the LessonLab programs, due to support from the participating universities and a grant from the Ohio Department of Education.

The courses will be offered online, face-to-face, or through blended delivery (a mix of in-person and online sessions), and facilitated by leading university faculty who have been certified by LessonLab. Each university is establishing its own schedule and delivery options for the six courses, to be offered throughout 2006 as well as during the 2006-2007 university calendar. Enrollment will begin in December, 2005 through each university.

BreakThrough Mathematics modules are designed to help teachers achieve a deep understanding in their content areas as well as conduct a thorough analysis of how to teach each module topic to their students. In the Ohio program, the following modules are part of the offering: Fraction Concepts (grades 4-9); Multi-Digit Whole Number Computation (grades K-3); Numbers and Numeration (grades K-3); Perspectives on Problem Solving (grades K-3; 4-9); Solving Equations (grades 4-9); Concepts of Measurement (grades K-3).

"The [course] was a catalyst for changing my math thinking," said Debbie Welch, first grade teacher at Glendale-Feilbach School." (the program was piloted at Bowling Green earlier this year). "I realized that my first graders were capable of learning basic levels of complicated higher level math thinking. I got a new appreciation for the foundation that I lay to help students learn and master math concepts during their future school years…."

"By the end of each module, teachers become engaged in modified lesson study, a process that has been shown effective in classrooms around the world," says Dr. Barbara Moses, Professor of Mathematics at Bowling Green State University, "as the teachers take the ideas back to their classrooms, they feel more confident, students get excited, and I feel more sure that LessonLab really works. You only need to watch the videotapes of the participants' classrooms to see how effective the program is."

For more information about enrolling in this program, teachers can contact their local participating university or email ohiomathematics@lessonlab.com

About Pearson Achievement Solutions

Formed in November, 2005 with the acquisition of Co-nect, the leading provider of data-driven solutions that help schools and districts manage and measure effective instructional improvement, Pearson Achievement Solutions focuses on delivering customized solutions for school improvement, including comprehensive teacher professional development aligned with research, assessment, and instructional programs. Pearson Achievement Solutions is based on the foundation of LessonLab, Pearson's professional development and school change business, and the SIOP Institute, dedicated to training K-12 educators to teach academic content to English language learners. Pearson Achievement Solutions provides a full service engagement with schools and school districts to help them assess their needs, develop a plan, and implement professional services built around their existing instructional solutions or one that is based on the rich instructional offerings within Pearson.

About LessonLab

LessonLab, a Pearson Education company, enriches academic achievement in schools through the design and delivery of comprehensive professional development solutions. Drawing upon more than a quarter century of K-12 professional development experience through its premier SkyLight brand, LessonLab offers an unparalleled collection of K-12 educational programs and resources including distance and site-based graduate courses and master's degree programs. LessonLab fuses a unique learning model and innovative research with innovative technology to create success for districts, schools, teachers and, above all, students.

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 Longman, Pearson Scott Foresman, Pearson Early Learning, Pearson Learning Group, Pearson Digital Learning, and Pearson Addison Wesley. 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