District's Largest Partner Improves Test-Score Gains Twenty-Fold
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
NEW YORK, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Edison's
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 nation's
largest school districts, according to the Council of Great City Schools.
According to a recent Council study, the nation's 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 District's 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.
About Edison Schools
Founded in 1992, Edison partners with school districts, charter boards,
and community groups to raise student achievement through its research-based
school design, 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.
Edison Schools serves more than 132,000 public school students in over 20
states through four different business channels: (1) the management of schools
for school districts, (2) charter schools, (3) summer and after-school
programs, and (4) achievement management solutions for school systems. The
Company operates 130 full-year schools and 200 summer schools.
Between 1992 and 1995 and in ongoing efforts, Edison's team of educators
and scholars conducted research to develop its school design and support
systems. Edison opened its first four schools in August 1995 and has grown in
every subsequent year. For more information, please visit
http://www.edisonschools.com.
SOURCE Edison Schools
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Related links:
http://www.edisonschools.com
CONTACT:
Adam Tucker, VP Communications of Edison
Schools, +1-212-419-1602
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