Michigan Edison Schools Post Strong Academic Gains on MEAP More Edison Students Than Ever Are Meeting and/or Exceeding State Standards NEW YORK, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Recently released Michigan Education Assessment Program (MEAP) test scores show that Edison schools and students in Michigan are making strong and consistent academic gains: a comparison of winter 2003 and winter 2004 MEAP results show that, across all grades and subjects areas, the average total gain in the percentage of students meeting and/or exceeding standards is 10 points. More Edison students than ever before are meeting and/or exceeding Michigan state standards. With its school district and charter school partners, Edison provides a research-based comprehensive school design that includes rigorous curriculum, meaningful professional development, sophisticated achievement management systems, and continuous support. The Edison Design, combined with the commitment of principals, teachers, is credited with the impressive gains. Edison's Michigan gains are more remarkable when compared to the average annual gains of the local districts and state. Overall, Edison's gains were five times greater than local and state gains. John Chubb, Edison's Chief Education Officer, commented on this year's tremendous gains. "We are proud of the strong growth that our Michigan schools have achieved over the past year. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our Michigan schools exhibit day in and day out. Our students are learning and thriving in a vibrant and enriched learning environment supported by the Edison School Design, which includes monthly benchmark assessments." Chubb continued, "But most importantly, hundreds of Michigan children are able to share with their parents for the first time that they were proficient, that they could meet high standards." These gains are particularly important as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation has increased accountability for schools and imposed requirements for "adequate yearly progress" in the percentage of students proficient. Detroit's YMCA Service Learning Academy Board President, Kevin Bolding, like many Edison partners, sees a bright future for the school and Edison. "The overall academic growth has been impressive. However, we are most proud of the gains made at the junior academy level. It shows us that the longer the kids have been in this program, the better they will do." Edison's Michigan partnership reporting MEAP scores include Detroit's YMCA Service Learning Academy and Detroit Edison Public School Academy; Inkster's Baylor Woodson and Blanchette Middle Schools; Flint's Garfield Edison, Williams Edison, and Flint Northwestern; and Ferndale's Edison-Oakland. Several schools showed stellar gains in key areas. Baylor Woodson in Inkster had 1-yr gains of 19% in 5th grade Science, 49% in 4th grade Math, and 52% in 4th grade ELA. Garfield in Flint had 1-yr gains of 18% in 5th grade Science, 54% in 4th grade Math, and 44% in 4th grade Reading. And YMCA in Detroit had 1-yr gains of 18% in 8th grade Science, 15% in 7th grade Reading, 20% in 4th grade Reading, 29% in 4th grade Math, and 42% in 8th Grade. About Edison Schools Founded in 1992, Edison partners with school districts, charter boards, and community groups to raise student achievement through its research-based school design, aligned assessment systems, interactive professional development, integrated use of technology and other proven program features. Edison students are achieving annual academic gains well above national norms. Edison Schools now serves more than 132,000 public school students in over 20 states through four different business channels: (1) the management of schools for school districts, (2) charter schools, (3) summer and after-school programs, and (4) achievement management solutions for school systems. The Company operates 130 full-year schools and 200 summer schools. Between 1992 and 1995 and in ongoing efforts, Edison's team of educators and scholars conducted research to develop its school design and support systems. Edison opened its first four schools in August 1995 and has grown in every subsequent year. For more information, please visit http://www.edisonschools.com/. DATASOURCE: Edison Schools CONTACT: Adam Tucker, VP Communications of Edison Schools, +1-212-419-1602 Web site: http://www.edisonschools.com/

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