New York, NY (November 10, 2006) -- In classrooms around the country, countless students struggle with reading and academics each day and feel that both school and reading have no relevancy in their lives, often because of social issues beyond their control.  These students are disproportionately boys found in many of our nation's underserved classrooms and desperately need books and materials that reflect their interests to make reading worthwhile to their lives.
 
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who himself overcame obstacles to learn to read, and his wife Lonnie, have joined with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, to put personally relevant and exciting books into the hands of struggling readers and all students. Muhammad Ali™ Presents Go the Distance™ is a new classroom library collection of specially selected, award-winning books based on Ali’s core values, including building confidence, showing determination, finding mentors, and offering and earning respect.  Students will find their lives and interests reflected in this engaging collection so that they are motivated to read and learn. In addition, teachers will receive materials and strategies to differentiate reading instruction according to the unique needs of each student.  Lonnie Ali will join with Scholastic to launch this new program today at the National Association of Black School Educators conference in Orlando, FL. 
 
“Muhammad and I are very focused on motivating young people to get the best education and become whatever they aspire to be.  We’re so pleased to join with Scholastic to bring Muhammad’s legacy into the classroom to teach students about respect, hope and understanding, and to encourage these kids to be the very best that they can be,” said Lonnie Ali.
 
“Scholastic is grateful that Muhammad and Lonnie Ali are focusing their humanitarian efforts on the needs of our nation’s struggling readers and are working with us to engage and empower students who don’t believe that reading is worthwhile,” said Greg Worrell, Senior Vice President, Scholastic Education.  “Motivation plays a large part in students’ interest in and enjoyment of reading and school.  We are hopeful that the books in the Go the Distance collection will encourage all students to become confident readers and in turn strive to achieve their personal best in school and in life.”
 
Go the Distance includes multicultural fiction and nonfiction books whose stories, events, characters and settings will motivate students to become accomplished readers.  Three collections for students in grades 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8, will boost students’ vocabulary, improve comprehension, guide students in extracting meaning from text, and increase students’ desire to read increasingly complex materials. 

The collection includes additional tools for teachers to inspire students to achieve their personal best, including a teacher resource CD with printable lesson plans, a professional guide to differentiate reading instruction for each student, a professional development paper on making strategic knowledge visible and available to students, book notes and a classroom poster. Go the Distance was developed in consultation with two esteemed educators, Dr. Jeffrey Wilhelm, associate professor, Boise State University, and author of Improving Comprehension with Think-Aloud Strategies: Modeling What Good Readers Do, and Dr. Alfred Tatum, assistant professor, Northern Illinois University, and author of Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males: Closing the Achievement Gap.
For more information about Muhammad Ali Presents Go the Distance please visit www.scholastic.com/muhammadalilibraries. 
 
About Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is the former three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, winner of a 1960 Olympic Gold Medal, and goodwill ambassador to the world.  He is widely regarded as the greatest champion of all time, as much for his reputation outside the ring as for his career of famous fights. Sports Illustrated, USA Today, GQ and a host of other media have dubbed him “Athlete of the Century.”  After retiring from professional boxing in the early 1980s, Mr. Ali remained an active public figure as a philanthropist and humanitarian, championing the causes of the developing world.  He has been a relentless advocate for people in need, supporting relief and development initiatives and hand-delivering food and medical supplies to hospitals and orphanages in Africa and Asia.  He has also been active in charitable endeavors at home, including raising funds and advocating for research into Parkinson’s syndrome, an ailment from which he suffers.
 
In 2005, Mr. Ali opened the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to displaying a selection of his memorabilia, the Center’s exhibits focus on themes of peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.  In 2006, he partnered with CKX, Inc., to form Muhammad Ali Enterprises, for the marketing of his name, image and likeness and to continue promoting his cultural and philosophical legacy throughout the world.
 
For his tremendous humanitarian efforts, Mr. Ali has been the recipient of countless awards including most recently the Presidential Medal of Freedom; the Otto Hahn Peace Medal for his involvement in the U.S. civil rights movement; Amnesty International’s “Lifetime Achievement Award”; and designation as “United Nations Messenger of Peace.”
 
About Scholastic Education
Scholastic Education, a leader in the education marketplace, provides learning solutions through research-based technology products and multimedia supplemental instructional materials that support student achievement in grades pre-K through high school.  Grounded in the most current scientific research, Scholastic Education develops technology products and services that include intervention, assessment, instruction, data management and professional development.
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.
 
The name, image, and likeness of Muhammad Ali are used with permission from Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC.  Muhammad Ali and The Greatest are trademarks of Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC.

 

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