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September 16, 2010 7:30 am ET

Newark (N.J.) Public Schools and the Merck Institute for Science Education (MISE) Enter Partnership to Reform Science Education in State’s Largest School District

Merck, a global healthcare leader, announced today that the Merck
Institute for Science Education (MISE) is being recognized by President
Obama as being a model science education initiative at an event being
held today at the White House.

The President’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign is a nationwide effort
focused on excellence in science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) education. Today’s White House event marks the kick off of
“Change the Equation” (CTEq), a newly formed organization to mobilize
corporate support for improved STEM education for all American students.
Merck, a recent member of CTEq, will be represented at the White House
by Richard T. Clark, chairman and chief executive officer of Merck, and
Dr. Carlo Parravano, executive director of MISE.

“Merck has helped nurture scientific learning among young students for
more than 18 years in New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” Mr. Clark said. “We
look forward to sharing our experience and demonstrated best practices
to further the country’s goal of advancing American students in STEM
achievement over the next decade.”

“Our success as a nation depends on strengthening America’s role as the
world’s engine of discovery and innovation,” said President Obama. “I
applaud Merck and the MISE for lending their resources, expertise, and
their enthusiasm to the task of strengthening America’s leadership in
the 21st century by improving education in science, technology,
engineering and math.”

Recognizing teachers as key to the learning process, MISE focuses on
professional development programs that provide educators with
research-based tools and strategies so they can improve all students’
performance in science. A non-profit organization founded by Merck in
1993, MISE supports the capacity-building of partner school districts
and the creation and sustainability of innovative classroom practices in
science education.

As the 2010 school year begins, Newark Public Schools (NPS) joins MISE’s
partnership with school districts dedicated to science education reform
from kindergarten through grade 12. The goals of the partnership are to
raise the participation and performance of NPS students in science, make
science education a priority and build district capacity to sustain and
continuously improve science teaching and learning.

“Partnering with MISE provides our district educators with a unique
opportunity to adapt their current practices to future opportunities and
challenges in an increasing global market,” said Dr. Clifford B. Janey,
Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “How we engage as adults sets a
gold standard for what we can expect from our students. We are proud and
poised to model this partnership with MISE.”

Strategic Five-Year Plan for MISE-Newark Partnership

Working together, MISE and NPS will develop a five-year strategic plan
to establish benchmarks for progress. The partnership will work to align
school district policies to support teaching and learning science,
leverage resources to support improvements, develop and maintain a
coherent science curriculum and provide professional development and
on-site support for teachers of science. The expected outcome is that
MISE will help to enhance the interest and aspirations among all NPS
students for science learning.

Newark educators will participate in MISE’s three-year Academy for
Leadership in Science Instruction that brings together teachers,
principals and administrators to strengthen their science classroom
instruction and deepen their leadership fundamentals. Newark teachers
will engage in other professional development initiatives, such as
MISE’s Peer Teacher Workshops, designed to increase content knowledge
while preparing teachers to successfully engage in inquiry-based science
instruction.

“MISE is expanding the impact of its work to form a partnership with the
largest school district in New Jersey,” Dr. Parravano said. “We are
excited to work with Newark Public Schools and to work toward
significant and sustained improvements in science teaching and learning
on a large scale.”

More than 6,000 educators have worked with MISE to improve science
education since it’s founding in 1993. Newark joins six other school
districts in the partnership: Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Rahway and
Readington Township in New Jersey, and North Penn in Pennsylvania.

About MISE

With a $38 million commitment by Merck, the New Jersey-based global
healthcare leader, MISE was founded in 1993 as a non-profit organization
dedicated to improving science education from kindergarten through grade
12 and influencing education policy. MISE is widely viewed as a model
for how corporations can support the nation’s science education
objectives and make a lasting difference in education reform by
committing to long-term partnerships. To learn more, visit www.MISE.org.

About The Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools District is the largest and one of the oldest
school systems in New Jersey. The district serves approximately 39,000
students in 75 schools ranging from pre-K to secondary school students;
and employs approximately 6,500 staff within the schools and Central
Office. To learn more about the Newark Public Schools, visit www.nps.k12.nj.us.

About Merck

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be
well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and
consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and
operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health
solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to
healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For
more information, visit www.merck.com.

Merck
Ron Rogers, 908-423-6449