LEMON GROVE, Calif., Jun 18, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Schools in the Lemon Grove School District, networked together -- and to student homes -- via the broadband-based Project LemonLINK, have recorded significant improvement in student achievement, according to the newly-published 2001 Academic Performance Index (API) by the California Department of Education.

The report, a numeric index that measures the academic performance and growth of schools, also indicates that all eight Lemon Grove schools, comprised of 4,600 students grades K-8, rated at or above the state average in a statewide ranking.

Three of the schools -- San Altos Elementary, Vista La Mesa Elementary and San Miguel Elementary -- ranked among the top 15 most improved in San Diego County, registering double-digit percentage gains in the API from 2000 to 2001. From 1999 to 2001, each of the schools has recorded percentage gains ranging from 20.4 percent (San Altos) to 35.0 percent (Vista La Mesa). This spring, five schools in San Diego County were chosen as "High Achieving Title 1 Schools" with three of the five winners from the Lemon Grove School District.

"We're proud of the students and staff in this district who are responsible for these tremendous gains in a relatively short period of time," said Dr. McLean King, Superintendent, Lemon Grove School District. "The fact that they have made such dramatic improvements can be credited to the district focus on standards-based instruction and the implementation of a technology-rich curriculum district-wide." Every classroom in the district now has a 1:2 computer-to-student ratio.

"The abundant access to technology, both at home and at school, has been a tremendous motivator for our students," said Barbara Allen, Director, Project LemonLINK. "Not only did we see a major improvement in time-on-task behavior but we found that students were actually doing more reading and writing using the computer."

Credit, said Dr. King, must also be given to Lemon Grove's Director, Information Systems, Darryl LaGace, who conceptualized the district as being a "Connected Learning Community." LaGace envisioned the school district serving as the communication hub for an entire community, enabling students to have computer and Internet access both at home and at school.

With LaGace's leadership, the district formed a public/private partnership to improve student achievement through technology. Teaming with Cox Business Services, LLC, the award winning "Project LemonLINK" consists of a high-speed broadband network that connects schools, homes and city government facilities. The school district serves as an educational application service provider (EASP), providing centrally-housed educational software and content that students and their parents and teachers can access from any computer hooked up to the network -- either from a classroom or a connected home within the district. The network provides enough bandwidth to support a full duplex Ethernet connection up to 100 MB from the district office to the schools and other remote locations. Cox also designed and engineered a private education network that functions as the district's own Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Before the commencement of Project LemonLINK in 1997, just 16 percent of Lemon Grove students had home computers, and only seven percent of those had Internet access. Since the passage of SB 388 which allows California schools the ability to sell or rent Internet appliances or computers to connect to the district network resources from home, Lemon Grove School District's Project LemonLINK has rolled out its home connection program. With help from Cox, Lemon Grove students now have the opportunity to access the district's technology programs and resources from home using network appliance that include a keyboard, mouse and discounted connectivity. Students who score in the bottom 10 percent on standardized tests receive the connectivity and the home connection package at no cost.

"We're still at the beginning of what LemonLINK can do," LaGace said. "We're continuing to integrate new technology that will help us expand, lower our costs and reach more homes with more educational tools. Cox is always willing to help us figure out ways to improve what we're doing, and we'll continue to depend on their amazing attitude and creativity going forward."

Other private partners in Project LemonLINK include Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Wyse Technology, Cisco, Citrix, bigchalk.com, NCS Learn, and Communications Systems Group.

About the Lemon Grove School District

Lemon Grove School District's mission is to engage and support all students in achieving high academic standards. With eight schools serving 4,600 students in grades K-8, Lemon Grove is one of the most diverse school districts in San Diego County. The district serves Lemon Grove, a community of 26,000 residents, located eight miles east of San Diego where nearly 68 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunches.

About Cox Business Services

Cox Business Services, LLC is an affiliate of Atlanta-based Cox Communications, Inc. a Fortune 500 company and the nation's fifth largest broadband communications company. A full-service, facilities-based provider of telecommunications solutions, Cox Business Services serves home offices, small, medium and large businesses; school districts; and hospitality, government and military properties across the nation. Cox offers high-speed Internet services; switched voice services and long-distance; video conferencing; Web hosting; co-location and dedicated voice, data and video transport services. More information can be accessed on the Internet at www.coxbusiness.com.

CONTACT: Cox Business Services, LLC Bobby Amirshahi, 404/843-7872 Bobby.Amirshahi@cox.com or ESTN Communications Group, LLC Michael Rudd or Paul Silder, 301/585-5050 Mrudd@boscobel.com or Psilder@boscobel.com