Two-year $869,000 Grant Will Improve Adolescent Literacy in Minneapolis, San Francisco and Tampa

Washington, D.C. - October 29, 2003 - Public Education Network (PEN) today announced an $869,000 two-year grant from the New York Life Foundation to implement the new Revitalizing High School Libraries program, designed to increase adolescent literacy and improve student performance. The grant will be used to pilot the program at high schools in Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Tampa.

"Every child in the nation should have access to the resources needed to achieve a high level of literacy," said Wendy D. Puriefoy, president of Public Education Network. "There are far too few system wide secondary literacy initiatives, and we are very pleased to be working with the New York Life Foundation in identifying, improving and supporting plans for model school library media centers."

"Revitalizing High School Libraries will strengthen school library resources and provide children with access to comprehensive print and electronic materials," said Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life Insurance Company and chairman of the New York Life Foundation. "We are delighted to work with Public Education Network on this new project, which encourages life-long learning and deepens the Foundation's commitment to its Nurturing the Children focus."

Revitalizing High School Libraries will help overcome barriers to high-level adolescent literacy; build collections of materials (including books, electronic media and software); enhance and integrate technological resources; and provide library media specialists, educators and parents with opportunities for professional development and collaboration. It will also strengthen the role of the librarian as an "information specialist," and encourage and boost partnerships between the library media centers and school districts, public libraries, community agencies, regional businesses, local government, academic institutions and parent groups.

The three cities funded by the New York Life Foundation grant have significant populations of at-risk and bilingual students. To address their needs, high school library media centers will be substantially improved in each city - either through multiple small learning communities within a single high school, or at two schools collaborating to develop smaller, more personalized learning environments that foster student achievement.

The grant also enables PEN to identify and recruit a local education fund (LEF) in Richardson, Tex., and Kansas City, Mo. The LEFs are independent, nonprofit organizations that initiate and fund local projects designed to increase student achievement and build broad-based community support for education.

Revitalizing High School Libraries Grant Recipients:

• "Revitalizing High School Libraries," Minneapolis, Minn., LEF Organization: Achieve!Minneapolis - This project will develop text-rich, culturally relevant, welcoming, and warm media environments in Washburn and Roosevelt High School, incorporating strategies to improve literacy among the school's high percentage of English Language Learners and struggling readers.
• "Increasing Library Power at Mission High School," San Francisco, Calif., LEF Organization: San Francisco Education Fund - Over the course of the two-year grant, the role of the Library Media Center will be greatly expanded, and new literacy strategies and technology will be incorporated throughout Mission High School, in a collaboration with the San Francisco Public Library and other community partners.
• "Library Media Center Renewal as the Foundation for School Literacy Improvement," Tampa, Fla., LEF Organization: Hillsborough Education Foundation - The Media Center will become the catalyst that creates the desire to read in all Robinson High School students. Strategies will include updating and increasing the center's collection, ongoing teacher training, outreach with teachers and parents, and cooperation with the local public library.

PEN (www.PublicEducation.org  ) is a national organization of local education funds (LEFs) and individuals working to improve public schools and build citizen support for quality public education in low-income communities across the nation. PEN's mission is to build public demand and mobilize resources for quality public education for all children; PEN members are active in 34 states and the District of Columbia, working on behalf of 11 million children in more than 1,220 school districts. To learn more about PEN, visit www.PublicEducation.org  

Established in 1979 by the New York Life Insurance Company, the New York Life Foundation (www.newyorklifefoundation.org  ) is the major vehicle through which the company channels contributions to national and local non-profit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Through Volunteers for LIFE, its national community involvement initiative, New York Life also encourages volunteer participation by its employees, agents and retirees.

Contacts:

Lisa Fels
New York Life
(212) 576-7937
lisa_fels@newyorklife.com

Gabrielle Torello
Public Education Network
201-678-2824
gabtpr@yahoo.com

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