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 Edison Schools rated nation's top education service provider

Edison Schools Rated Top Education Service Provider
National Center Provides First-Ever Scientifically-Based Evaluation of New Education Industry

(April 27, 2006) 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.

The report is available at www.csrq.org.

The Education Service Providers included in the report operate in roughly 350 schools nationwide and represent about 65 percent of the schools served by this new industry. ESPs are increasingly important contributors to the nation’s public-school improvement efforts, running charter schools and managing traditional public schools that have failed to make “adequate yearly progress” under No Child Left Behind, the federal government’s tough accountability system. The CSRQ Center reviewed over 900 studies of these companies, judging each by rigorous scientific standards of evidence, and used only the highest quality evidence in drawing its conclusions.

“Edison is proud to have the hard work of its teachers and principals validated by this prestigious report,” said John E. Chubb, Edison’s chief education officer. “It is also a validation of the school districts and charter boards that are our partners. They are the ones who ultimately make this kind of success possible.”

“At the same time, the study also shines a light on something public educators have known for a long time: raising achievement in under-performing schools is tough work. While Edison is proud to have the highest score in this study, we also note that the highest score is described by the study’s authors as 'moderate.' That means there still is considerable room for all of us to improve. Our nation must continue to focus relentlessly on the difficult work of improving all of our schools.”

The high standards used in this report have been used in all other reports from the CSRQ Center and allow decision-makers to compare the effectiveness of these providers to reform organizations reviewed previously. For example, Edison’s overall effectiveness rating is the same as that recently awarded to the venerable Core Knowledge Foundation, widely recognized as the national leader in content-rich school curricula.

As a strong believer in, and long time practitioner of, transparency in school reform and performance, Edison welcomes the rigorous research represented by this report. “While we are pleased to have our work so strongly validated, we also know that we always have more to learn and much to improve. Scientific research is the best guide to building better schools and a better Edison in the years to come,” added Chris Whittle, Edison’s founder and chief executive officer.

Last fall, the Rand Corporation released a multi-year, independent scientific study of Edison Schools. That study, available at www.rand.org, also affirmed the company’s positive educational-achievement results.

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About Edison Schools

Founded in 1992, Edison Schools is the nation’s leading partner with public schools and school districts, focused on raising student achievement through its research-based school design, uniquely 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. For the 2005-2006 academic year, Edison Schools Inc. is serving approximately 330,000 public school students in 24 states across the country and in the U.K. through its whole school management partnerships with districts and charter schools; summer, after-school, and SES programs; and achievement management solutions for school systems. For more information, contact Laura Eshbaugh, Executive Vice President (865) 329-3617

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About the National Council of Education Providers

The National Council of Education Providers (NCEP) is an alliance of organizations that provide quality education opportunities for families in 267 charter schools across 18 states. Along with other public-private partnerships, the coalition of companies serves over 150,000 students nationwide.

For more information, contact NCEP at (202) 822-5076.