REPORT: EMO SCHOOL STUDENTS IMPROVE AT FASTER RATE THAN SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS
Philadelphia students at private education management organization (EMO) schools improved at a faster rate than their district-managed counterparts, according to a June 30 assessment report released by the School District of Philadelphia. The Bulletin, Philadelphia, PA, July 11, 2008

STUDENT GAINS IN PRIVATELY MANAGED PHILADELPHIA SCHOOLS NEARLY DOUBLE THOSE IN DISTRICT SCHOOLS
School test scores recently released by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment reveal that schools partnering with private education management organizations (EMO's) -- including EdisonLearning -- showed greater gains in student achievement than the schools operated by the Philadelphia School District. EdisonLearning Press Release, July 9, 2008

CLIMBING ON SCHOOL INNOVATION: CREDIT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN TO PRIVATE OPERATORS FOR PROGRESS
In 2002, more than 10,000 students out of 13,000 were "below basic" in math in our partnership schools. Now, that number has been reduced by more than half to 4,800. In 2002, nearly 9,000 students were below basic in reading; that number has been reduced to 5,800. By John Chubb, Philadelphia Inquirer, March 21, 2008

EDUCATIONAL REWARDS
...the Philadelphia results demonstrate that putting schools in private hands could lead to improvements in education. At the very least, the current Philadelphia for-profit schools should be allowed to continue under private management. If results from the first four years continue to hold up, they make a strong case for giving the private sector a larger role in urban education. The Wall Street Journal, November 7, 2007
SCHOOLS MANAGED BY PRIVATE PROVIDERS LIFT STUDENT TEST SCORES IN PHILADELPHIA
According to a new Harvard study, students who attended privately-managed Philadelphia schools made larger test-score gains on the Pennsylvania State System of Assessment (PSSA) between 5th and 8th grade than did other students in these grades in the Philadelphia school district as a whole. Edison Schools Press Release, April 10, 2007

Edison Schools Rated Top Education Service Provider
National Center Provides First-Ever Scientifically-Based Evaluation of New Education Industry
A new study by the Comprehensive School Reform Quality Center of the American Institutes of Research has rated Edison Schools the nation’s top Education Service Provider. The study, released April 24, is designed to be a guide for consumers. Edison earned the highest score possible in such important categories as the research basis of its design, professional development and technical assistance, and readiness for successful implementation. April 27, 2006

SCHOOL CHIEF HAS A FAMILIAR FACE: Berrien Springs' James Bermingham Has Headed Two Other Area Districts: He is currently a regional vice president with Edison schools, which is for-profit school system whose primary business is the operation of charter schools and management of troubled, public schools in partnership with the district. He oversees operations in Chicago, Kansas City, and Detroit, including six schools and more than 5,500 students. "I have learned a lot in Edison," said Bermingham. "From grade to grade everything sequenced, so there are no gaps. The schools give choice to underprivileged families. Charter schools offer them choice." South Bend Tribune, January 21, 2006

RAND Corporation Releases Results of Five-Year Study of Achievement in Edison Schools: The 290-page report, titled, “Inspiration, Perspiration and Time: Operations and Achievement in Edison Schools,” affirms Edison's positive academic accomplishments and potential, and offers recommendations for Edison and its partners going forward. Press Release, October 11, 2005.

Charter Schools Make
the Grade -- New Research Reveals Charters Help Michigan Students Succeed,
Respond to Public Demand for Education Reform
Almost 85,000 of Michigan's kids will attend the state’s 230
public charter schools when they head back to school this week, making Michigan
one of the most progressive states in the nation in providing alternative public
school options. New achievement data show that these schools outperform their
traditional counterparts, and a brand new statewide survey suggests that charter
schools are providing exactly the bold education reforms the Michigan public
demands. NCEP Press Release, September 8, 2004