REDMOND, Wash., and ASHBURN, Va., May 4, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. and MCI’s MarcoPolo Education Foundation today announced they have entered into a unique agreement under which Microsoft will integrate content from the MCI Foundation’s MarcoPolo education program into Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers program. Microsoft also will provide grant funding to MCI’s MarcoPolo Education Foundation to accelerate the development of additional student interactive resources by the MarcoPolo content partners.
“Demand for lessons containing interactive student resources has skyrocketed. With support from Microsoft, we will respond to that need by accelerating the development of interactive online educational programs and expanding their reach through Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers program,” said Caleb Schutz, President of MCI’s MarcoPolo Education Foundation.
David Driftmier, general manager of Education Strategy, Solutions and Programs at Microsoft, underscored the value that MarcoPolo will add to the Innovative Teachers program. “Teachers from around the country use the Innovative Teachers network for community, content and professional learning. Combining this growing community resource with MarcoPolo’s track record for delivering exceptional educational resources and its consortium of premier content partners will provide an ideal complement to the existing professional development and teacher-created materials.”
The MarcoPolo program provides high-quality standards-based Internet content and professional development to K–12 teachers and students throughout the United States. Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers program provides free community, content and professional learning for districts and schools to help teachers and students realize the full potential of technology in the classroom. As a result of this collaboration, MCI and Microsoft will create new and engaging ways for students to interact with the online educational resources and lessons offered by the MarcoPolo program.
About MCI
MCI Inc., (MCIA.PK), is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry’s most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned points of presence, and wholly owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today’s market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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