Test Scores Reveal Pittsburgh Students Excel With McGraw-Hill's Treasures Reading and Everyday Mathematics Curricula

Pittsburgh students continue to make substantial gains in reading and mathematics achievement on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), according to the 2007-2008 student achievement results for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. The District adopted the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill K-6 reading and language arts curriculum, Treasures, in 2005-2006 and has used Wright Group/McGraw-Hill's Everyday Mathematics program for approximately 14 years.

The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a standards-based criterion-referenced assessment used to measure a student's attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards.

Reading Success with Treasures

Before Pittsburgh adopted Treasures in the 2005-2006 school year, just 48.7% of Grade 3 students scored proficient and advanced in reading. After three years with the program, that figure has reached 64.0% (2007-2008). This is an increase of 15.3 percentage points. In addition, Grade 3 students showed significant progress in moving out of the below basic level, with 21.4% fewer students at that level this year compared to last year.

"These results are a testament to the commitment of the Pittsburgh Public Schools leadership to drive student achievement," said Steve McClung, president of School Solutions Group, which includes Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. "We are extremely pleased that Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's program, Treasures, has contributed to this student success."

Pittsburgh's Grade 4 students also showed progress in the advanced level for reading proficiency from the 2005-2006 school year to 2007-2008: a 3.2 percentage point increase.

Students in Pittsburgh also outperformed student reading scores across the state of Pennsylvania. Between 2002 and 2008, students in Grade 5, for example, had a gain of 7 percentage points in reading, compared to a statewide gain of 4 percentage points.

"We are pleased that Treasures has provided us the opportunity to also integrate our early childhood reading program with our elementary program," said Bill Isler, board president of Pittsburgh Public Schools. "Little Treasures is being used to provide critical early literacy skills to more than 2,000 Pre-K children served by Pittsburgh Public Schools."

Math Success with Everyday Mathematics

Everyday Mathematics, the math program used in the district's elementary schools, also continues to benefit Pittsburgh students. The recent 2008 PSSA math test showed:

-- At Grade 5, the District had a gain of 24 percentage points compared to a statewide gain of 20 percentage points.

-- At Grade 8, the District had a gain of 27 percentage points compared to a statewide gain of 18 percentage points.

-- At Grade 11, the District had a gain of 13 percentage points compared to a statewide gain of 6 percentage points.

"We congratulate Pittsburgh on these remarkable improvements in math achievement and are grateful for such a long, successful partnership with the district," said Dan Caton, president of Wright Group, which publishes Everyday Mathematics.

Complete district results can be viewed at www.pps.k12.pa.us/pps/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=285155&C=53644 .

About Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Treasures

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill's Treasures is a leading reading and language arts solution for students in Grades Pre-K-6. Nationally recognized for its research-based approach, visual appeal and technology, Treasures is one of the most widely adopted curricula in the nation.

Macmillan/McGraw-Hill is part of McGraw-Hill School Solutions Group (MHSSG).

The group combines Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, which focuses on Grades Pre-K-6, and Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, which serves Grades 6-12. MHSSG is the only major educational publishing business to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of print and digital instructional materials from pre-kindergarten through high school. Additional information is available at Macmillanmh.com.

About Wright Group/McGraw-Hill Everyday Mathematics

With more than 20 years of history, Wright Group/McGraw-Hill's Everyday Mathematics for Grades Pre-K-6 helps students measure up to the demand for greater mathematical competence and problem-solving ability. Everyday Mathematics was developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project. The research-based curriculum is used in nearly 185,000 classrooms across the United States by more than 3 million children. The Everyday Mathematics eSuite includes an online lesson planner with digital access to all teacher materials, an interactive online student edition, animated games for additional fact practice, an assessment management system to monitor student progress, and multilingual family letters in nine languages to support the home-school connection. Visit EverydayMathSuccess.com to read about the program's efficacy and to see videos of the program in use in the classroom and see http://www.wrightgroup.com/parent_connection/index.html for parent resources.

Wright Group/McGraw-Hill publishes innovative core and supplemental literacy and mathematics programs for differentiated instruction and teacher training in Grades Pre-K-8. The research-based approach is anchored in real-world applications and is based on the assessed needs of students, combining developmentally appropriate materials with explicit outcomes. For more information on Wright Group's products, call 1-800-648-2970 or visit WrightGroup.com.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. Brands include CTB/McGraw-Hill, Glencoe, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, SRA, The Grow Network and Wright Group. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 60 languages. Additional information is available at MHeducation.com.

  Media Contacts:  Tom Stanton                      Yvonne Pentz
                   McGraw-Hill Education            Paul Werth Associates
                   (212) 904-3214                   (614) 224-8114
                   tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com      ypentz@paulwerth.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Wright Group/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Tom Stanton Yvonne Pentz
McGraw-Hill Education Paul Werth Associates
(212) 904-3214 (614) 224-8114
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com ypentz@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/