National Center Provides First-Ever Scientifically-Based Evaluation of New
Education Industry
NEW YORK, April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 http://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
http://www.rand.org, also affirmed the company's positive
educational-achievement results.
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.
SOURCE Edison Schools
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Related links:
http://www.edisonschools.com
http://www.csrq.org http://www.rand.org
CONTACT:
Laura Eshbaugh, Executive Vice President of
Edison Schools, +1-865-329-3617
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