About Microsoft Partners in Learning

Tucson Non-Profit Helps Roll Out Microsoft US Partners in Learning JES & Co. Selected as National Affiliate for U.S. Rollout of Microsoft Partners in Learning Aimed at K-12 SchoolsTUCSON, Arizona - May 10

JES & Co., a leading non-profit education research and development corporation, today announced their selection as National Affilia te for the U.S. rollout of the international Microsoft Partners in Learning initiative. The U.S. Partners in Learning program will be investing $35 million over five years to equip schools with innovative ways to teach and learn 21st Century Skills including collaboration, communication, and managing information, along with access to the learning tools that put those skills within reach. As National Affiliate, JES & Co. will develop and document plans, organize training and professional development, and support and maintain the program over the course of its planned 5 year deployment. "The education of tomorrow demands that we innovate today and invest in this effort as a community," said Sherri Bealkowski, general manager of the Public Sector Solutions and Programs Group at Microsoft. "U.S. Partners in Learning is a long-term commitment from Microsoft to work with state governments, local schools, teachers and partners to establish a sustainable foundation for continued advances in education and learning." "The states themselves will help us define and build this exciting program," according to Diny Golder, Executive Director of JES & Co. "Our strategy in developing plans and training will be to assure that we listen to each state's needs and respond in meaningful and focused ways." The first Partners in Learning programs are scheduled to begin in Washington under an agreement announced today between Microsoft and Washington Governor Gary Locke. Additional state participants will be announced in the near future. For more information on JES & Co., visit their website at http://www.jesandco.org/.

Technology has the potential to remove barriers for students and educators everywhere. Powerful software and the Internet are changing our access to knowledge. Innovative ways to teach and learn are redefining the classroom experience. And there are new expectations for students: Beyond just basic skills, students need proficiency in collaboration, communication, and managing information—21st Century Skills—and they need access to the learning tools that put those skills within reach.

The goal of the Partners in Learning initiative is to empower schools to increase student learning through teacher development and leadership. Through Partners in Learning, Microsoft is partnering with experts in educator and curriculum development to deliver high-quality learning and development experiences for educators, resources to support success in the classroom and opportunities to network with colleagues.