SAN DIEGO, June 5, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Science & Technology Working Group of The San Diego Foundation today released a groundbreaking report called "What's Working: A Guide to Effective K-12 Math and Science Education in San Diego County." The report highlights 23 local programs with proven success in enhancing one of four key priorities:

 * Teacher capacity: programs that recruit, retain, and develop the
   skills of the 12,500 teachers of math and science in our
   county's elementary, middle, and high schools.
 * School-based innovation: quality instruction that equips
   students to perform at or above grade level.
 * Community-based enrichment: Extracurricular activities that
   stimulate interest and deepen knowledge through competitions,
   field trips, exhibits, internships, speakers and mentoring.
 * System-wide connectivity: initiatives that align resources and
   programs to improve education for the nearly 500,000 students in
   our county's 42 school districts.

"Higher student achievement in math and science is vital to creating a deeper and stronger workforce in San Diego," said Qualcomm co-founder and chairman Dr. Irwin M. Jacobs. "Each of us has a role to play to improve education for our children. I am pleased that The San Diego Foundation is taking the lead in getting a comprehensive analysis of what's working out to our community."

Jacobs serves as chairman of the board of Building Engineering & Science Talent (BEST), a San Diego-based nonprofit organization commissioned by The San Diego Foundation to research and produce the "What's Working" report. The report was funded as part of The Foundation's Community Compass initiative, which is focused on making our region a national leader in K-12 math and science education.

"Because math and science skills are a crucial indicator of workforce talent, we simply cannot afford to fall behind in math and science education," said Barbara Sawrey, incoming chair of the Science & Technology Working Group of The San Diego Foundation and associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education at the University of California, San Diego. "Before we can close the achievement gap in our schools, we have to close the resource gap. With this report, we wanted to shine a bright light on the need for strategic philanthropy and call for greater community alignment around programs that work."

On April 7th, The Foundation previewed the "What's Working" report at a forum of top leaders in business and education -- part of an ongoing program funded by Qualcomm, Biogen Idec, Gen-Probe and Amylin. Today, The Foundation is launching an expanded Science & Technology section of its Web site to serve as a resource for companies and individuals interested in making an enduring investment in the human capital of our region.

In the coming months, the Science & Technology Working Group is forming a Community Leadership Council to spearhead the next phase of support for K-12 math and science education. In the last five years alone, The San Diego Foundation has provided $5 million in grants and in science scholarships to support the region's science and technology community, including $2 million to improve K-12 education for our children.

"The collective interest in K-12 education in our local math, science and engineering community is critically important for several reasons, and I see immense educational benefits for our students," said Dr. Randolph Ward, San Diego County superintendent of schools. "From the corporate perspective, there are clear implications for our future workforce. And for our community at-large, the overall health and vitality are greatly enhanced when corporate citizens are deeply involved in their local school systems."

For more information on The Foundation's Community Compass initiative in math and science education or to download a free copy of the "What's Working" report, please visit www.sdfoundation.org.

About The Science & Technology Working Group:

Within The San Diego Foundation, the Science & Technology Working Group is composed of community experts in science, technology and education. Our mission is to enhance science and technology in San Diego by funding innovative research, emerging scientists, science education and access to technology. Our vision is a continuous supply of highly trained mathematicians, scientists, engineers and technicians -- as well as a scientifically, technically and numerically literate population -- that will provide the workforce needed for the San Diego region to remain a national leader in science and technology.

About The San Diego Foundation:

Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation is a broad-purpose community foundation helping individuals, families and organizations carry out their charitable plans, with the common goal of improving the quality of life in the greater San Diego region, now and for generations to come. For more information, please visit www.sdfoundation.org or call (619) 235-2300.

The San Diego Foundation logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5108

CONTACT:  The San Diego Foundation 
          Anna-Marie Rooney
          (619) 235-2300
          anna-marie@sdfoundation.org

          Wordanista
          Sarah Thailing
          (619) 994-1895
          sarah@wordanista.com