The College Board and News Corporation Announce Initiative to Make Education a Top Issue in 2012 Presidential Campaign

THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN EDUCATION: A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY CANDIDATE FORUM SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 2011 IN NYC

NEW YORK, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a new effort to make education reform a top issue in the 2012 Presidential Campaign, the College Board and News Corporation will co-host The Future of American Education: A Presidential Primary Forum on October 27, 2011. Timed to coincide with the College Board's annual national forum, which attracts representatives from nearly 6,000 educational institutions across the nation, the presidential candidate forum will be moderated by The Wall Street Journal's Paul Gigot and renowned education expert and reformer Joel I. Klein, CEO of News Corporation's education division. All Republican primary candidates who meet a threshold level of support in national polls will be invited to participate in the event, which will be televised and streamed online.

"For an issue of such importance, education has never played a significant role in presidential campaigns. We want this time to be different," said Governor Gaston Caperton, President of the College Board. "As one of the most important issues facing our country, the American people deserve a full and robust conversation about each candidate's vision for the future of education. I hope that this forum will help all Americans who care about our nation's security and prosperity to make an informed decision in 2012."

"Whoever is elected President in 2012 will need to take dramatic steps to improve the way we prepare our students for college and ensure our nation's ability to better compete in the global economy. This forum will provide a great opportunity for candidates for the Republican nomination to articulate their plans to achieve these goals," said Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of News Corporation.

The Future of American Education: A Presidential Primary Forum will provide each participating candidate with an opportunity to outline his or her vision for improving America's education system. Complete details about the event – including participants and format – will be released at a later date.

The College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of more than 5,900 of the world's leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org.

News Corporation

News Corporation (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) had total assets as of March 31, 2011 of approximately US$60 billion and total annual revenues of approximately US$33 billion. News Corporation is a diversified global media company with operations in six industry segments: cable network programming; filmed entertainment; television; direct broadcast satellite television; publishing; and other. The activities of News Corporation are conducted principally in the United States, Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, Asia and Latin America.

SOURCE The College Board