BOSTON – Nov. 3, 2008 -Government and independent research studies alike reveal that children who attend strong preschool programs are less likely to be held back in school or need special education services – and are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to college. To help put young learners on the path for a lifetime of academic success, preschools across the country are turning to Pearson – more than any other education publisher – for quality curriculum, literacy intervention programs, assessment and services.

The U.S. Department of Education's announcement of the 2008 Early Reading First grants reflects the increasing demand for Pearson's early learning products, with virtually all 31 grantees choosing one or more of the company's curriculum or assessment programs. The leading product selected by 2008 grantees was Pearson's flagship pre-K curriculum program, "Opening the World of Learning” – known as "OWL.”

Since 2003, Early Reading First has provided nearly $600 million in these grants to support pre-K programs that improve school readiness for young children, especially those from low-income families.

"The pre-K year is a child's first exposure to a school setting. In addition to developing social and emotional skills for success in kindergarten and beyond, children need to build a strong foundation of developmentally appropriate literacy and cognitive skills,” said George Kane, senior vice president, Pearson. "At Pearson, we are committed to continuing to make deep investments in the research and development necessary to publish high-quality early childhood programs that will ensure that young learners are prepared to excel.”

"Opening the World of Learning” supports preschoolers in building firm foundations in language and literacy skills. Designed to meet standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the International Reading Association and the early learning standards for states, "Opening the World of Learning” combines a research-based curriculum with classic children's books, songs and poems that keep learning engaging and interesting.

One of the grantees choosing "Opening the World of Learning” is a unique collaboration between Marquette University and Day Care Services for Children, Inc., in Milwaukee. To reverse disturbing trends in state reading scores, they launched the Wisconsin Reading Acquisition Program (WRAP). A 2008 Early Reading First grant recipient, WRAP leaders turned to Pearson to ensure that young learners enter Milwaukee Public Schools with strong oral and written language skills.

"We chose ‘Opening the World of Learning' for our Early Reading First project because it is designed according to scientifically based reading research and is comprehensive in its scope and sequence,” said Maura Jones Moyle, Ph.D., assistant professor, Marquette University, and co-director of WRAP. "The trade books, themes and activities are creative and appealing to children. Teachers are given clear and explicit instructions in the teachers guides, providing them with the support they need to be effective.”

"Opening the World of Learning” also gives WRAP tools for reaching every one of the 300 at-risk, low-income children with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds it serves. Dr. Moyle continued, "‘Opening the World of Learning' provides valuable resources for facilitating the home-school connection, accommodating children with special needs and facilitating English language acquisition. It meets all of our needs and exceeded our expectations.”

In addition to "Opening the World of Learning,” other Pearson products chosen for use in Early Reading First grants include:

• "Read Together, Talk Together,” a dialogic reading program to expand children's language and emerging literacy skills.
• Waterford Early Reading, an individualized software-based curriculum that provides engaging, digital instruction that helps young students build literacy skills.
• Work Sampling System, a leading Pre-K assessment developed by Samuel J. Meisels, Ph.D., president of the Erickson Institute .
• Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test , the most widely used norm-referenced test of receptive vocabulary.

For more information about Pearson's curriculum products for young learners, visit www.pearsonschool.com.

About Early Reading First

Early Reading First is part of the U.S. Department of Education's "Good Start, Grow Smart” initiative, designed to transform existing early education programs into centers of excellence that provide high-quality, early education to young children, especially those from low-income families. The overall purpose of the Early Reading First Program is to prepare young children to enter kindergarten with the necessary language, cognitive and early reading skills to prevent reading difficulties and ensure school success. For more information about Early Reading First, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/earlyreading/index.html .

About Pearson

Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com.