Since its inception in 2001, as an independent, analytical resource for state and education leaders, Standard & Poor's (S&P) School Evaluation Services has evolved and become a valuable resource for parents. In 2005, S&P began providing parents and taxpayers with an objective analysis of school and school district data via www.schoolmatters.com, a publicly-accessible, interactive website.

Due in large part to the popularity of the website, S&P has been able to engage parents across the country, all while continuing to serve as an objective source of information and analysis on our nation's public schools. Visitors to SchoolMatters will have access to data that goes beyond student performance and financial information, and instead, focuses on a comprehensive review of all education information. The site synthesizes student performance, financial information, and community and school demographics to help better explain the performance of more than 90,000 U.S. public schools.

For more information about SchoolMatters please visit the website at www.schoolmatters.com or contact Susan Shafer, Director of Marketing and Communications at 212-438-2193 or email her at susan_shafer@standardandpoors.com