FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA June 24, 2008 Department of Education Commonwealth News Bureau Room 308, Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 CONTACT: Michael Race (717) 783-9802 NATIONAL REPORT SHOWS PENNSYLVANIA MAKING MARKED ACADEMIC GAINS Education Secretary Zahorchak Says Momentum Can Continue Under Governor Rendell’s Six-Year School Funding Plan Pennsylvania students are making long-term gains in reading and math while the achievement gap between low-income and minority students is narrowing, according to the report, released today, by the Center on Education Policy.