Edison Reading and Math Proficiency Jump About 10 Points Each; In Years Prior to Partnership, the Same Schools Averaged 1/2-point Annual PSSA Gains

Edison Schools officials said today they are proud to have contributed so significantly to the historic leaps in student achievement being generated by Philadelphia Schools, District CEO -- Paul Vallas, and the School Reform Commission.

Edison is the School District's largest partner, operating 20 Philadelphia schools with more than 12,000 students.

Edison's 20 Philadelphia partnership schools posted an average annual gain of approximately 10.2 percentage points in 5th and 8th grade students scoring at "proficient" or above on the 2004 Pennsylvania System of Schools Assessment in Reading, and approximately 9.6 percentage points in Math on the 2004 PSSA, according to data released today by the state Department of Education.

Among the District's largest partners (those operating six or more schools), Edison led in combined academic gains. It led this peer group both in increasing the percentage of students scoring "proficient" or above, and in decreasing the percentage of students scoring "below basic."

To understand the full impact of these historic academic gains in Edisons schools, the "weighted" scores must be considered. Weighted scores count each child equally, rather than averaging different grades that may have vastly different student counts. Edison's weighted gains were even higher with approximately 10.7 points in Reading and approximately 9.8 points in Math.

Across the board, the scores represent a profound departure from recent history. In the years prior to the Edison-District partnership, those same 20 schools had averaged annual gains of less than 1/2 of 1 percentage point.

The average test-score gain in Pennsylvania in 2004, according to the Department of Education, was 5 points in Reading and 6 points in Math. The School District of Philadelphia, which under CEO Vallas and the SRC is undertaking the nation's most ambitious school reform effort, dramatically exceeded those rates, posting average gains of 10 in reading and 10 in math.

Philadelphia's gain rates are among the highest of any of the nations largest school districts, according to the Council of Great City Schools. According to a recent Council study, the nations largest urban school systems are averaging annual gains of 4 points per year.

Chris Whittle, Edison Schools Founder and CEO, said "Edison is extremely proud to have contributed so positively to Philadelphia's remarkable academic achievements. We salute CEO Paul Vallas, the School Reform Commission and its Chairman, Jim Nevels, and state education-reform leaders in Harrisburg for their bold leadership. They literally are making history  and demonstrating to all of America that public-private partnerships can be a key component in unlocking the full potential of our nation's schools, and closing the achievement gap."

Said CEO Vallas, "Two years ago, Edison was assigned 20 of the most challenged schools in our District -- far more than any other provider. They have clearly demonstrated their ability to take on this challenge and make a critical contribution throughout a period of transformation. They've operated as a true partner, consistently demonstrating leadership and integrity."

"At its outset our partnership was a source of controversy -- but neither the District nor Edison had time for controversy. Instead, we rolled up our sleeves and worked cooperatively, learning from each other and staying focused on our accountabilities to our students and their families. And the results are impressive. We still have much work to do -- but this is a very heartening step. Our partners at Edison have been a critical part of our success."

The state Department of Education data also shows that:

· Edison was a District standout in helping schools to make "Adequate Yearly Progress," or AYP, under the No Child Left Behind Act. Of the 64 schools targeted by the District for extensive reforms, 21 made AYP for the first time in 2004. Edison produced more than half those 21 schools (11 of 21), even though it operates less than a third of the targeted reform schools (20 of 64).

· In Reading, the Edison-District partnership schools reduced the percentage of students at the below-basic level at four and a half times the state rate.

· In Math, Edison-District partnership schools reduced the percentage of students at the below-basic level at four and a half times the state rate.

The School District of Philadelphia became a national focal point for urban school reform when the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania intervened in 2002, empowering a new School Reform Commission, under Chairman James Nevels. Nevels promptly hired Vallas as the Districts CEO, who successfully implemented a series of sweeping reforms, including the nation's most ambitious public-private partnership model to turnaround some of the District's lowest performing schools.

The District targeted 64 of Philadelphia's lowest-performing and slowest-gaining schools for special intervention. Forty-five of those schools were partnered with an education provider -- local and national non-profit and for-profit organizations and universities. Edison was assigned 20 of those 45 schools, making it the District's single largest partner. The other 19 schools were partnered with the District in order to be "restructured" and to follow a set of district lead reforms.

Since the Fall of 2002, Edison has managed 12 elementary (6 K-5's and 6 K-8's) and 8 middle schools in Philadelphia. Edison's Philadelphia partnership schools have implemented a comprehensive set of reforms designed to raise student achievement. The academic-improvement initiatives include:

Edison's proprietary electronic assessment system aligned to state standards; unparalleled data analysis training and support; expert achievement advising; successful school organization; comprehensive new curriculum; extensive staff training with ongoing professional development for teachers; innovative leadership development; and meaningful engagement of families and communities

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