Public Schools Partnering with EdisonLearning Recognized for Achievement Success

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 13, 2008 -
New York, NY --- Student achievement gains at four schools, all part of EdisonLearning’s national network of more than 100 schools in 23 states, have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and individual state departments of education. In addition, two principals in EdisonLearning’s Hawaii partnership schools were honored by their statewide peers.

Northmoor-Edison Primary School in Peoria, Illinois, received the prestigious “Blue Ribbon Award” from the U.S. Department of Education for dramatically improving student performance to high levels on state tests, as a school with at least 40 percent of its students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eight years ago, about half of the tested students at Northmoor-Edison met state standards. Now almost 90% of the students do.

As 1 of 320 schools selected nationally, Northmoor-Edison is, “an example of what teachers and students can achieve," Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said. “Now our challenge is to help other schools follow their lead by continuing to measure progress through No Child Left Behind, and by using the knowledge we've gained to replicate effective strategies and help every student improve."

Northmoor-Edison Primary School is one of three Peoria schools partnering with EdisonLearning.  The others: Rolling Acres-Edison School and Franklin-Edison School have also shown dramatic gains in student achievement, and like Northmoor, have also met the federal requirements of No Child Left Behind by making adequate yearly progress (AYP) during the last two school years, and continue to be some of the highest performing schools in the district.

Jeremiah Grey-Edison Elementary School in Indianapolis has been designated a “4 Star School” by the Indiana Department of Education.  This designation indicates that the school has met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and performed in the top 25 percent of all schools in the state in each of the four areas that are measured:  attendance rate; language arts proficiency score; mathematics proficiency score; and percentage of students meeting state standards in both English/language arts and mathematics.

Jeremiah Grey-Edison is one of two EdisonLearning partnership schools in Indianapolis.  The other, Rosa Parks-Edison Elementary, also met the federal AYP requirements for the second straight year.

San Jose-Edison Academy in West Covina, California received the 2008 California Distinguished School Award, the second time in four years that the school has been honored. Approximately 1,500 schools were nominated for the state’s highest education honor, and San Jose-Edison was the only school cited from the West Covina district.

In addition to the recognition from the state, San Jose-Edison Academy has also consistently met the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act.

Two principals in EdisonLearning’s Hawaii partnership schools won prestigious awards for their performance. Ruth Silberstein of Palolo Elementary School in Honolulu was awarded the National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Hawaii; and Myron Monte of Dole Middle School in Honolulu, received the Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.  Both principals have been working with EdisonLearning since the inception of the company’s partnership with Hawaii in 2005, and both have brought about significant improvements in student achievement.