California Curriculum Commission Recommends Pearson's Six Innovative

The publisher's research-based customizations for California meet new state requirements while addressing the realities of 21st century learning in the nation's most diverse state. Bush noted that Pearson's programs have been infused with new material and concepts specifically relevant for California, contributed by nationally renowned experts who are co-authors for the programs. Among these noted academics are:

-- Dr. Grant Wiggins, whose renowned leadership in curriculum design is
revolutionizing learning.

-- Dr. Donald Leu, the leading expert in the "new literacies," and how
educators must meet the iPod generation on their turf -- including
effective use of the Internet, techniques for reading online, and projects
to bring students around the globe together to communicate and learn from
each other.

-- Dr. Sharroky Hollie from California State University, the leading
expert on urban literacy whose contribution includes a focus on embedding
relevant materials into curriculum programs that recognize the cultural
differences among California's diverse student population.

-- Dr. Jim Cummins, who leads the Pearson team in ensuring that English
learners receive the same high quality education programs as their peers,
provides his expertise in literacy development in multilingual school
contexts, as well as on the potential roles of technology in promoting
language and literacy development.

-- Dr. Connie Juel, professor of education at Stanford University, and
expert in the powerful role vocabulary plays in reading comprehension, and
in closing the achievement gap.

-- Jon Scieszka, the award-winning children's writer and recently-named
Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress, has
focused on the needs of boy readers, who as a group are in a crisis and
falling behind girls in reading performance.

"Our authors comprise a prestigious list of reading experts and have been instrumental in solidifying our reputation as the leader in reading," said Bush.

As the adoption process reaches its final phase, the California Curriculum Commission today recommended the following Pearson programs to the State Board of Education, which is expected to give final approval in November for the books to be listed and available to schools in California:

1. Pearson Reading Street for California (grades K-6), a customized curriculum steeped in five years of research and development to create the Scott Foresman Reading Street program. The top-selling reading curriculum in the U.S last year, the program has been enhanced and customized for California, adding a visually-engaging and entertaining digital path and including California authors and literature. Continued...