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Posted:  April 30, 2004

56 U.S. Schools Named Finalists for
21st Century Schools of Distinction Award

More than $200,000 to be Ultimately Awarded to 20 Winning Schools

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 27, 2004 - Fifty-six schools today were named finalists for the 21st Century Schools of Distinction Awards. They will compete for more than $200,000 in grants from the Intel Foundation.

Intel Corporation and Scholastic Administr@tor magazine, leaders in technology and education, have teamed with the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Foundation to develop this new award program to honor schools for implementing innovative and replicable programs that support positive educational outcomes. This program will highlight successes of the nation's best schools and celebrate their use of technology, the benefits of strong teamwork and their development of excellent classroom teachers.

"It is important to recognize the achievements of our nation's schools are not always solely measured by test scores," said Bernadette Grey, editor-in-chief of Scholastic Administr@tor magazine, a division of Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company. "These awards are uncovering great new ideas for creating partnerships, working with parents, and a host of other significant innovations that can lead to a better school experience for our children and, ultimately, to improved academic performance."

"The 21st Century Schools of Distinction Awards finalists are already providing a wealth of innovative solutions and best-known methods for achieving excellence," said Wendy Hawkins, Intel director of education. "We applaud these schools and look forward to sharing their award-winning methods to help drive education improvements around the nation."

Finalists were chosen from more than 1,200 applications submitted by elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. The finalists by category are:

Academic Excellence - The schools challenge all students to use their minds and have programs in place that support and sustain scholastic achievement, as measured by significant academic gains regarding test scores, graduation rates or college entrance rates:

Community Involvement - These schools have demonstrated a commitment to the important role that the community plays in supporting learning, and have implemented strategies that are effective in involving all segments of the community:

Innovative Use of Technology - These schools have implemented innovative uses of technology among students, teachers, administrators and/or parents:

Involved Parents/Teachers - These schools are committed to parent involvement and implementing strategies that effectively involve parents from all segments of the community:

Partnership - These schools are involved with national and local businesses, universities, public and private institutions, and resource centers to further academic improvement:

Professional Development - Professional development plays a vital role in learning and these schools have a culture that encourages teachers, administrators and staff to work together for professional growth:

Teamwork - There is clear and compelling evidence of collaborative interaction between these schools and their local school district leadership that results in improved teaching and learning:

Technology Implementation - These schools have shown practical improvement in the implementation of technology in a specific area of the school program or curriculum:

Technology Excellence - These schools use technology effectively in a wide number of areas and incorporate the National Education Technology Standards for all students as part of the curriculum:

Two winners will be named in each category at a black-tie gala on June 21 in New Orleans during the National Educational Computer Conference (NECC). The winning schools will each receive $10,000. In addition to the categories listed above, two schools will be honored with a "Best of the Best" award and will each receive $25,000. Schools winning this award must have a comprehensive program addressing technology, involvement of parents and the community, professional development, teamwork and consistently achieve high academic standards.

The 21st Century Schools of Distinction Awards gala keynote address will be given by Dr. Mae Jemison, the first female African-American astronaut in space. Jemison -- a successful chemical engineer, scientist, physician and teacher -- will discuss the importance of education and technology, and the significant roles both have played in her life. Intel CEO Craig Barrett and Scholastic CEO Dick Robinson will also honor the winning schools at the event.

Intel is delivering a sustained commitment - in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide - to help today's students prepare for the demands of tomorrow. Intel is focused on helping to integrate technology effectively into the education process and to helping improve science, mathematics, engineering and technology education. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.

Scholastic Administr@tor magazine provides insights into effective technology and leadership strategies through real-world examples from leading school districts. By facilitating a dialogue among administrators on the best practices for integrating technology and education, the publication serves as a clearinghouse for innovative ways of using technology in schools. Scholastic Administr@tor reaches 100,000 readers that include superintendents and assistant superintendents, principals, school board presidents, chief technology officers/tech coordinators and more.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.