The Heller Reports Announces EdNET 2005 Industry Award Recipients; Four organizations recognized for their positive impact on education and important contributions to the educational technology industry Source: QED/The Heller Reports, September 13, 2005 DENVER (Sept. 13, 2005) - The Heller Reports, a QED company and leading provider of education market news and events, today announced the EdNET 2005 Industry Award recipients. The finalists and winners were honored for their positive work in education at a luncheon ceremony today during the 17th Annual EdNET Conference at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in San Diego,. The EdNET 2005 Industry Award recipients are: EdNET HERO For-Profit --4GL School Solutions, Inc., Towson, Md. (http://www.4glschools.com) EdNET HERO Not-for-Profit --CAST, Center for Applied Special Technology, Wakefield, Mass. (http://www.cast.org) EdNET Pioneer --eSchoolMall, Horsham, Pa. (http://www.eschoolmall.com) EdNET Rookie of the Year --Atomic Learning, Inc., Little Falls, Minn. (http://www.atomiclearning.com) The EdNET HERO award recognizes one for-profit and one not-for-profit organization that have made the most positive impact on education through educational technology. The EdNET Pioneer award is given to an organization that most significantly contributed to the growth of the educational technology and communications markets during the previous year. The EdNET Rookie of the Year award honors a small or start-up organization, either for-profit or nonprofit, that has the greatest potential to become a key player in the technology industry in the coming years. "Technology not only offers innovative ways of learning, it has become an integral part of the education landscape, critical to school efficiency and efficacy," explained Andy Lacy, general manager of QED. "Enterprising organizations have adapted or created new technologies to fit the unique needs of the education community so educators and students can take full advantage of all that the digital age has to offer." 4GL School Solutions is a prime example of an organization that has enabled schools to streamline administrative tasks and better allocate resources through technology. Winner of the EdNET HERO For- Profit award, 4GL is the leading provider of comprehensive management solutions for special populations in K-12 education. The EdNET 2005 Industry Award judges commented, "4GL has created new tools for educators to easily manage the most challenging aspects of special education and developed a way to personalize instruction for all students." Another vendor that assists schools in improving the educational experience for special populations is this year's EdNET HERO Not-for-Profit winner. CAST, an education research and development organization, works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through innovative, technology-based educational resources and strategies. Citing CAST as a "model" entry for the HERO award, judges were impressed with the organization's staying power and unique approach. "CAST is clearly making a impact on a diverse-and sometimes neglected-group of students," the judges commented. Technology also plays a vital role in improving the business side of school operations. eSchoolMall, winner of the EdNET Pioneer award, is the leading provider of online procurement software and services for K-12 schools. "By helping the business side of the education enterprise find a technology means to increase efficiency and cut costs, eSchoolMall has saved schools money that can go for other classroom needs, including more money for instructional technology," stated the EdNET judges. By creating a mechanism that allows a wide range of vendors to access the education marketplace, eSchoolMall has also contributed to the growth of the education industry. As many technology users know, new hardware and software can be challenging because there are new tools and programs to learn. For effective technology integration in education to occur, educators must know how to use the technology. Atomic Learning, creator of web-based software training and tutorials for the K-12 education market and EdNET 2005 Rookie of the Year, knows this better than any other organization. The judges awarded the company for this strength, stating, "Atomic Learning has figured out a way to provide 'just in time' materials for schools and school districts, recognizing that teachers often need answers to their technology-related questions outside of training sessions." As the EdNET 2005 Industry Award winners show, technology is a powerful tool for improvement in almost every aspect of the education enterprise from school management to personalized instruction. With the help of the education technology industry, the learning environment will be transformed to enable all students to reach their full potential. The Heller Reports created the awards program in 1992 to champion the efforts of progressive organizations helping to revitalize the nation's educational system. The program has become a focal point of the EdNET Conference, the education market's premier networking conference. Conference organizers are seeking sponsors for EdNET 2006, Sept. 17-19, in Boston. For more information about the EdNET conference, contact The Heller Reports at 877-435-5373, ext. 1, or visit www.QEDdata.com. About the EdNET Conference EdNET provides a variety of venues for executives to network and build strategic business partnerships that ultimately help educators increase student performance. The focus of the 17th Annual EdNET Conference is the future of the education market and how companies can ensure their future success in the market. Sessions explore the role vendors can play in shaping schools of tomorrow, how businesses can best support the nation's schools and help them successfully meet the needs of students, the new technologies transforming today's classrooms, and new methods of conducting business. Conference attendees have the opportunity to hear keynote speaker Mark Anderson, founder and publisher of Strategic News Service and president of Technology Alliance Partners, as well as discuss current issues in education with influential school administrators. For more information about the EdNET conference, visit www.QEDData.com or phone 877-435-5373, ext. 1. About The Heller Reports The Heller Reports has provided unsurpassed coverage of the education market and a forum for education industry executives to meet, share ideas and grow their businesses for more than 21 years. Founded in 1981 by Nelson B. Heller, Ph.D., The Heller Reports' mission is to deliver up-to-date, reliable and unbiased information, news and services that today's education marketer's need. Headquartered in Denver, The Heller Reports is a division of QED, a wholly owned subsidiary of Scholastic, Inc., the global children's publishing and media company. For more information about The Heller Reports, visit www.QEDData.com or phone 800-525-5811, ext. 9421. About QED Quality Education Data, Inc. (QED), established in 1981, is a leading provider of integrated marketing services for the pre-K through higher education markets. QED's landmark National Education Database covers U.S. and Canadian educational institutions and is at the core of all QED products and services. QED maintains lists and databases that are continually updated using more than 7 million direct education contacts each school year and utilizing over 700 phone representatives. Headquartered in Denver, QED is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scholastic, Inc., the global children's publishing and media company. For more information about QED, visit www.QEDData.com or phone 800-525-5811, ext. 9421.