Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN), Governor Dave Heineman (R-NE) and Prudential Vice Chairman Mark Grier Join Achieve Board

NEWS STATEMENT

CONTACT:

Sandy Boyd, (202) 419-1542, sboyd@achieve.org

WASHINGTON – January 16, 2009 – Achieve announced today the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN); Governor Dave Heineman (R-NE); and Vice Chairman of Prudential Financial Inc., Mark B. Grier. All three new Board members bring to Achieve a strong track record of working to improve U.S. education so that all American students can compete and prosper in college and careers.

"We are extremely pleased to add these three well respected education leaders to Achieve's Board" said Mike Cohen, Achieve's president. "As Achieve continues to work towards making college and career readiness a national priority, their leadership and guidance will help ensure Achieve's success."

Created by the nation's governors and business leaders, Achieve is a bipartisan, non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve assessments and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for postsecondary success. At the 2005 National Education Summit, Achieve launched the American Diploma Project (ADP) Network, a coalition that has grown to 34 states, educating nearly 85 percent of public school students in the United States. The ADP Network is committed to aligning high school expectations with the demands of college and careers.

Bredesen, Heineman and Grier will serve on an Achieve Board comprised of fellow governors and business leaders. The co-chairs of the Achieve Board are Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Intel Corporation Chairman Craig R. Barrett. Additional members of the Board include: Edward B. Rust, Jr., Chairman & CEO, State Farm Insurance; Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI); Jerry Jurgensen, CEO, Nationwide; Governor Edward G. Rendell (D-PA); and Governor Donald L. Carcieri (R-RI).

More about the New Achieve Board Members:

Governor Phil Bredesen (D-TN)--Under the leadership of Governor Bredesen, Tennessee joined Achieve's American Diploma Project network in January of 2007. Tennessee quickly became a leading state as it raised its mathematics, science and English standards and elevated its high school graduation requirements to ensure that its citizens were prepared to compete for 21st century jobs and higher education. With a belief that teachers hold the key to translating these higher standards and expectations into new outcomes for students, Governor Bredesen has launched bold approaches to teacher recruitment and preparation. Tennessee was also recently chosen as one of eight states to participate in the College and Career Ready Policy Institute, working to make sure its assessment and accountability systems match its high standards. Governor Bredesen is also well known for his efforts on early childhood education, establishing a nationally recognized high-quality, voluntary pre-K program in Tennessee serving 18,000 four-year-olds in more than 930 classrooms.

Governor Dave Heineman (R-NE)--Governor Heineman's priorities for Nebraska include improving both education and economic vitality. The Governor is a strong proponent of a quality education for all children and supports high academic standards and increased parental involvement in education. The National Governors Association named Governor Heineman chairman of the Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee for 2008-09. Governor Heineman was first elected to a statewide office in 1994, as the Nebraska State Treasurer. He was re-elected to that post in 1998. As Treasurer, he implemented the Nebraska College Savings Plan, which has been recognized as one of the best college savings programs in the country.

Mark B. Grier, Vice Chairman, Prudential Financial, Inc.--Vice Chairman Grier, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Prudential Financial, leads an international financial services company with more than $600 billion in assets under management. Prudential has a long history of supporting education improvement, especially in its headquarters city of Newark and its headquarters state of New Jersey. The company has played a leadership role in the standards movement since its inception. Mr. Grier, in his service with the Business Coalition for Educational Excellence of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, leads a very active business collaborative that supports statewide education improvement initiatives. The education standards in New Jersey were among the first to be benchmarked by Achieve. The state was also one of the first members of the American Diploma Project.

To learn more about Achieve, visit www.achieve.org.