6.25.2007 - 05:56pm ET

(CSRwire) ATLANTA, GA.- June 25, 2007 – The Pearson Foundation today announced that that Adobe Systems, Inc., has joined the Digital Arts Alliance, the consortium that promotes digital arts in K-12 education through fully funded and staffed programs delivered directly to schools and community centers nationwide. The Pearson Foundation is the founding partner in the Digital Arts Alliance, and part of Pearson, the international education and information company.

The announcement was made at the opening of the annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC).

Each year, the Digital Arts Alliance makes it possible for more than 15,000 students and their teachers to experience firsthand how laptop computers, video production equipment, and the latest mobile-phone technologies are changing the ways young people can organize, present, and share information about issues that matter to them. Alliance members believe that using technologies to enhance personal expression creates an expanded kind of literacy, often referred to as 21st Century literacy, that people - especially young people - already use in their everyday lives.

Adobe joins other Digital Arts Alliance members, including Nokia, Pearson Education, The National Academy Foundation, and the American Red Cross, in supporting an extended network of teachers and students who take advantage of Digital Arts Alliance student and educator residency programs to develop proficiencies in core subject knowledge and other 21st Century skills.

As part of joining the Digital Arts Alliance, Adobe will host Digital Arts Alliance student movies and other digital stories on its Digital Kids Club Website at www.adobe.com/education/digkids. The Adobe Digital Kids Club is a resource for teachers and other K-12 educators for integrating digital media into their classrooms and learning centers. Through the Digital Kids Club, users will also have access to information on Digital Arts Alliance learning programs and resources.

Additionally, the Digital Arts Alliance will adopt Adobe digital photography, video, and imaging software as its preferred solution for all Digital Arts Alliance student and educator programs.

"Students must have the digital communications skills necessary to thrive in a world increasingly dominated by rich, dynamic multimedia," said Megan Stewart, director of K-12 education at Adobe. "Joining the Digital Arts Alliance is just a natural way for Adobe to extend our commitment to innovation in integrating technology in education and to help students develop those long-term critical thinking, collaboration and persuasive communication skills to succeed in the classroom and eventually the global workforce."

Mark Nieker, president of the Pearson Foundation, added, "For today's young people, success in school and in life requires educational experiences that meet the challenges of our new century. Digital arts projects provide that kind of experience. In the Digital Arts Alliance, we strive to join with leaders in every aspect of this field to offer exceptional digital arts programs and to foster the development of confident school leaders. For this reason, we are extremely pleased to welcome Adobe, the leader in digital arts technology."

About Adobe Systems, Incorporated

Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

About the Pearson Foundation

The Pearson Foundation extends Pearson’s commitment to education by partnering with leading nonprofit, civic, and business organizations to provide financial, organizational, and publishing assistance across the globe. The foundation aims to make a difference by sponsoring innovative educational programs and extending its educational expertise to help in classrooms and in local communities. More information on the Pearson Foundation can be found at www.pearsonfoundation.org.

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