FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 10.26.09

Contacts:
Stephen Wakefield, Discovery Education
240-662-2893
stephen_wakefield@discovery.com

Sandy Fash, C. Blohm & Associates
608-839-9800
sandy@cblohm.com

Oregon Approves Discovery Education’s Digital Basal Science Services for Statewide Use in Elementary and Middle School Classrooms

–Approval of digital instructional materials for classroom adoption latest evidence of national shift from traditional textbooks to digital curriculum –

Silver Spring, Md. (Oct. 26, 2009) – The Oregon State Board of Education has approved Discovery Education Science – Elementary Solution for grades K-5/6 and Discovery Education Science – Middle School Solution for grades 6-8 for statewide adoption as part of its K-12 Science and 9-12 Mathematics Instructional Materials Evaluation Process.

Discovery Education Science – Elementary and Middle School Solutions are the first digital Basal instructional materials to be approved for statewide adoption in Oregon. Correlated to the 2009 Oregon Science Curriculum Standards and organized around an inquiry-based framework, these digital solutions from Discovery Education cover the physical, earth and space, and life sciences, and encourage student exploration, stimulate critical thinking and deepen students’ understanding of science.

Featuring up-to-date, standards-based videos, virtual labs, simulations, ebooks, text passages, and more, Discovery Education Science – Elementary and Middle School Solutions offer digital content in multiple modalities. Since each student accesses either service with a unique username and password, educators can differentiate instruction to meet the many learning styles of today’s students through engaging video, colorful text passages and interactive explorations.

The formative assessment tool built into these digital instructional materials provides educators and students with information on which skills and concepts have been mastered, and directs individual students to remedial activities that address areas in need of improvement. Educators can quickly identify student understanding of science concepts throu ghout the learning process via a pre-test, mid-point check and post-test.

In addition to high-quality digital assets and a powerful assessment tool, the Discovery Education digital instructional materials adopted by the Oregon State Board of Education feature comprehensive on-site and online professional development and printed teacher’s guides. These elements showcase best practices and highlight new techniques for integrating digital content into classroom instruction, making it easier for teachers to plan, teach and improve student academic achievement.

DVDs facilitate use of the service outside the classroom or where Internet access is unavailable. Printable worksheets, activities and hands-on suggestions for students complete the Discovery Education digital Basal instructional solutions.

“A convergence of economic, technological and cultural forces have brought us to a time where digital resources, such as the Discovery Education Science – Ele mentary and Middle School Solutions, are poised to replace traditional textbooks as the primary instructional tool to engage students in learning,” said Kelli Campbell, Discovery Education Senior Vice President of Content and Product Development. “States such as California, Texas and Indiana have recently made efforts to put digital content in the hands of educators as these resources are more dynamic, engaging and cost effective than traditional textbooks. We see Oregon’s recent adoption of the Discovery Education digital Basal science services as further evidence of this trend.”

“Discovery Education would like to thank the members of the Oregon Board of Education, and those state officials involved in the K-12 Science and 9-12 Mathematics Instructional Materials Evaluation Process, for choosing to make these materials available to Oregon school children,” continued Campbell. “We are excited and confident these new digital resources will encourage and nurtur e the scientific talents in elementary and middle school students.”

Schools and districts throughout Oregon can acquire more information about Discovery Education Science – Elementary or Middle School Solutions by visiting www.discoveryeducation.com/Oregon or by calling 800-323-9084.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education. Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement. Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.