McGraw-Hill Launches Comprehensive School Improvement Center to Partner With Educators and Serve as Catalyst for School Transformation

Every year, about 1.2 million U.S. students drop out before graduating from high school, and face limited odds of landing a good-paying job in today's highly competitive marketplace. Key stakeholders in education, government and the private sectors are all laser-focused on turning around failing schools and providing students with the 21st century skills they need to compete and succeed in a global economy. To partner with districts and help them address their greatest challenges, McGraw-Hill Education has established the Center for Comprehensive School Improvement (CCSI).

"McGraw-Hill has been helping U.S. school districts accelerate student and teacher achievement for more than 100 years," said Peter C. Davis, president, McGraw-Hill Education. "We have brought together experts with various backgrounds from education to leadership development to technology that will allow us to fully serve all of a district's needs."

CCSI brings together all of McGraw-Hill's educational expertise and resources to develop effective, customized solutions and help drive improvements in school districts. The group's experts will work with districts to develop flexible solutions that enhance curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional development, district governance, and the use of digital and data-driven teaching and learning tools.

Heading up CCSI will be Mary Russick, a former classroom teacher with almost 20 years experience in the education market. She most recently served as a regional vice president of sales for McGraw-Hill's southeast region. Mary has extensive knowledge of state and district level education policy and a strong record of partnering with schools to deliver the services and programs they need to succeed.

Teaming up with Mary will be Arthur Griffin, senior vice president of Urban Advisory Resource. Arthur has over 21 years experience in public education. Prior to joining McGraw-Hill Education, he served 17 years on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) Board of Education. Arthur distinguished himself as chair of the school board from 1997 to 2002.

CCSI will also provide a variety of McGraw-Hill solutions that districts have used for years to help to enhance academic achievement, improve underperforming schools, and cultivate strong school and district leadership and talent development. CCSI builds off of the company's National Urban Advisory Resource Group, which was launched six years ago to work closely with large districts and help address their challenges.

  CCSI solutions and services include:
  --  A broad and complete approach to instruction, curriculum and
      assessment, aimed at  substantially improving student outcomes,
  --  Teacher effectiveness and leadership development designed to create
      high-performing schools,
  --  Formative assessment and predictive tools and services including
      CTB/McGraw-Hill's Acuity, the market-leading formative assessment
      program
  --  Capabilities that enhance individualized and personalized instruction,
      and
  --  Ongoing support and measurement.

  About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading innovator in the development of teaching and learning solutions for the 21st century. Through a comprehensive range of traditional and digital education content and tools, McGraw-Hill Education empowers and prepares professionals and students of all ages to connect, learn and succeed in the global economy. McGraw-Hill' Education's PreK-12 businesses include the School Education Group and CTB/McGraw-Hill. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 65 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/.

  Contact:
  Mary Skafidas
  212-904-2078
  mary_skafidas@mcgraw-hill.com

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SOURCE: McGraw-Hill Education

CONTACT: Mary Skafidas, +1-212-904-2078, mary_skafidas@mcgraw-hill.com

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