Award recognizes READ 180 and System 44 as proven to raise student achievement and reduce per pupil costs for districts

NEW YORK, N.Y. (April 18, 2013) – Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, accepted the ROE (Return on Education) Innovation Award at the ASU/GSV Education Innovation Summit on April 17th for its breakthrough education technology programs, READ 180® and System 44®. The Award was given in the Next Generation Content category in recognition of research that shows READ 180 and System 44 can significantly reduce the costs of interventions that districts and schools need to raise the reading achievement of their students performing below the proficient level and to allow them to graduate college and career ready.

Scholastic presented a case study from the Napa Valley Unified School District, in which students who were referred for special education services were enrolled in READ 180 and System 44 in grades three, four, and/or five. By the time these students entered the middle grades fewer were identified for special education services, resulting in a significant cost savings in per pupil costs and special education staff totaling over $1 million in savings. In addition to reductions in referrals to special education by middle grades, institutional savings also included significant reductions in suspensions and expulsions. Suspensions dropped from about 4,900 to about 2,100 from 2010 to 2012, representing approximately $84,000 that the district would otherwise have lost. In 2009, the district recorded 58 expulsions. That figure dropped to 26 expulsions in 2012, which represents approximately $189,000 captured in the district. In all cases, these captured funds were reinvested back into the district’s program.

Margery Mayer, President of Scholastic Education, commented, “We are proud to have READ 180 and System 44 recognized for not only turning around the academic lives of these students but also proving to be cost effective for the districts at a time when everyone is looking to control costs. We are thankful to ASU and GSV for establishing this award and putting a spotlight on the importance of delivering return on investment in education.”

One of the most thoroughly researched educational technology programs ever, READ 180 is now used by more than 1.5 million students across the country every day. Twenty-three studies of READ 180 have been completed by third-party firms (about half of which were independently funded), proving that the program works to raise student achievement and close gaps.

For more information about Scholastic Education’s innovative new programs, visit: www.scholastic.com/innovation.

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