Michigan Edison Schools Post Strong Academic Gains on MEAP

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,

[phone]



Web site:  http://www.edisonschools.com/ 

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