Contact:

Anne Sparkman
212-343-6657
asparkman@scholastic.com

New York, NY – May 20, 2016 – Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, has announced the 2016–17 National Advisory Council (NAC) comprised of leading experts in pre-K–12 education. To kick off their two-year term as key advisors to Scholastic leadership and staff, NAC Members hosted a day of professional learning at Scholastic headquarters in New York City this week, with a focus on the theme, “Equity in Education.”

To learn more about the 2016–17 National Advisory Council, visit: http://bit.ly/NationalAdvisoryCouncil

“Over the course of 95 years, Scholastic has become a trusted literacy partner of educators and families by carefully listening to and understanding the issues that impact student learning,” said Richard Robinson, Scholastic Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The National Advisory Council continues this Scholastic tradition and is an exciting opportunity for our staff to have direct access to the expertise of renowned education experts in support of our ultimate goal—to provide access to quality learning materials and books that make reading achievement a reality for all children.”

2016–17 National Advisory Council Members:

• Deb Delisle, CEO of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
• Dr. Josh Garcia, Deputy Superintendent, Tacoma Public Schools
• Dr. Walter Gilliam, Director of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy and Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology at the Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine
• Chris Lehmann, Founding Principal, Science Leadership Academy and Assistant Superintendent, Innovation Network, School District of Philadelphia
• Dr. Karen Mapp, Senior Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Faculty Director of the Education Policy and Management Masters Program
• Chirlane McCray, First Lady, New York City
• Shanna Peeples, 2015 National Teacher of the Year

During the professional learning kick-off for Scholastic employees, NAC Members participated in a panel discussion exploring important issues in education today, followed by breakout sessions focused on their individual expertise. The day-long immersion discussed improving achievement for all students by removing barriers to learning while examining how schools, homes and communities can work together in this mission of inspiring life-long readers and learners.

During the panel discussion, Shanna Peeples, 2015 National Teacher of the Year, shared with Scholastic employees, “Equality is everyone gets shoes. Equity is all the shoes fit. Teachers are the frontline soldiers working towards making sure all shoes fit. Part of that is innovation. I ask you to keep asking yourselves, what can you do to help keep good teachers teaching? Provide them with what they need and show them how to innovate with what they have.”

Beginning in the 1930s, Scholastic established a National Advisory Council to challenge the Company’s thinking with strong and diverse points of views to better inform employees in the mission to encourage the intellectual and personal growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Past NAC panelists have included former Secretaries of Education, Chief State School Officers, distinguished school superintendents, principals, and teachers, renowned researchers, and more. In addition to acting as internal advisors throughout the span of two years, 2016–17 NAC Members will also share their expertise on the Company’s podcast, Scholastic Reads, and on the Company’s education blog, edu@scholastic.

Additional information about Scholastic is available on the Company’s media room: http://mediaroom.scholastic.com.