For Immediate Release: May 5, 1998

Policy Group Awards $20,000 to Innovative School

San Francisco – The Sonoma Charter School has won the grand prize of $20,000 from the Pacific Research Institute (PRI) in its sixth annual privatization competition.

The Sonoma school garnered the award for its innovative partnership with Score@Kaplan, a for-profit subsidiary of Kaplan Corporation. Score’s SuccessMaker computer software identifies each student’s strengths and weaknesses. The software then generates problem sets and homework tailored to those strengths and weaknesses.

"We have sometimes had a difficult time implementing programs that Sonoma students need," said principal Jane McDonough.

"I think this award shows that our efforts have not been in vain. I am so pleased that PRI has recognized our efforts. They are a very prestigious group. We are very grateful," she said.

Other winners – runners up to the grand prize – include Schools Mentoring and Resource Team (SMART), the University of Phoenix, Las Familias del Pueblo, and Eureka! California’s Budget Balancer.

"These programs demonstrate that California’s entrepreneurs in education can and will improve our educational system when the government gets out of their way," said PRI president Sally Pipes.

The Pacific Research Institute is a public policy organization promoting individual freedom, private initiative, and personal responsibility. Past winners of PRI's annual privatization award include Chrysalis: Jobs for L.A.'s Homeless and the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation. Entries are solicited statewide and judged according to effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and innovation.

Press kits are available by contacting Royce Van Tassell at (916) 448-1926, or via email at vtroyce2@aol.com.

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The Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the principles of individual freedom and personal responsibility. The Institute believes these principles are best encouraged through policies that emphasize a free economy, private initiative, and limited government. By focusing on public policy issues such as health care, welfare, education, and the environment, the Institute strives to foster a better understanding of the principles of a free society among leaders in government, academia, the media, and the business community.