CyberSmart! and McGraw-Hill Education To Play Key Role in National Cyber Security Campaign

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2002--

New Program Helps Ensure Young Students Become Responsible and Effective Internet Users

The CyberSmart! Curriculum will play a key role in the "Stay Safe Online" campaign announced today by The National Cyber Security Alliance.

Created by The CyberSmart School Program and co-published with The McGraw-Hill Companies, The CyberSmart! Curriculum is a comprehensive Internet education program available free of charge to schools across the country. The program provides elementary and middle school teachers and students with the tools they need in order to encourage use of the Internet as a learning resource, and to ensure the safety and security of children in cyberspace.

"It is essential to ensure Internet security in our nation's classrooms," said Jim Teicher, founder and co-director of The CyberSmart! School Program. "Our goal is to teach students online behaviors that are acceptable, appropriate and effective. By fostering a savvy, responsible and watchful generation of young Internet users and cybercitizens, children can play a significant role in keeping cyberspace safe for generations to come."

The National Cyber Security Alliance is a new partnership of government and industry members that is calling on all Americans to be vigilant in their efforts to protect home and small business computer systems. The Alliance was announced today with the support of Dick Clark, Special Advisor to the President for Cyberspace Security. The Alliance's "Stay Safe Online" campaign will provide computer users with tips to help ensure their personal computers are protected and safe from attack. As founding members of the National Cyber Security Alliance, The CyberSmart School Program and The McGraw-Hill Companies will help spread the message on cyber security to American schools and families. The Web address for the National Cyber Security Alliance is www.staysafeonline.info.

"To fully realize the promise of integrating technology into the classroom curriculum, teachers need to know not only how to effectively use technology to improve student learning, they also must be able to help children stay safe online," said Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies. "We must also teach children the importance of protecting their privacy, to distinguish advertising from other online content, and how to protect copyrighted information, among other important issues. We are committed to helping to protect the security of American students on the Internet and we are proud to be offering The CyberSmart! Curriculum as a public service to schools across the country."

Launched last week at a Houston public elementary school, CyberSmart! is the first and only Internet security and appropriate use curriculum currently available to elementary and middle schools. The curriculum includes 65 original K-8 standards-based lesson plans organized in five units: Safety, Manners, Advertising, Research and Technology (SMART). The program is offered free of charge to educators and is available on the Internet at www.cybersmartcurriculum.org.

"We encourage schools to consider The CyberSmart! Curriculum because it covers all the aspects of responsible and effective technology use in a package that is easy for all teachers to use in the classroom," said Ann Flynn, Ed.D, Director, Education Technology, National School Boards Association. "We applaud CyberSmart! For taking the initiative to address appropriate computer and Internet use with a professionally developed curriculum."

In addition to the K-8 CyberSmart! Curriculum, The CyberSmart! School Program has created a "top ten" cyber security tip list for technically inclined middle school and high school students. These security action items should be implemented at home, and children are encouraged to work with parents to help assure the cyber security of their household.

About McGraw-Hill Education

McGraw-Hill Education is part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's and BusinessWeek. Founded in 1888, the Corporation has more than 300 offices in 33 countries. Sales in 2001 were $4.6 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

About The CyberSmart! School Program

The CyberSmart! School Program is a non-profit organization devoted to empowering children to securely and responsibly take full advantage of computers and the Internet. The challenge to be CyberSmart! captures its vision of a savvy and responsible generation of young technology users. The CyberSmart! Curriculum was created by Jim Teicher and Mala Bawer, Executive Directors of The CyberSmart! School Program, and is co-published with Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. In addition to The CyberSmart! Curriculum, other CyberSmart! activities include professional development for educators, and related programs that encourage and facilitate safe and effective technology use. Additional information is available at www.cybersmart.org.

CONTACT:

McGraw-Hill Education
April Hattori, 212/904-2078
Communications
April-Hattori@mcgraw-hill.com

or

The CyberSmart! School Program
Jim Teicher or Mala Bawer, 908/221-1516

or

Widmeyer Communications
Marjie Heberlee, 202/667-0901
marjie.heberlee@widmeyer.com

or

For the National Cyber Security Alliance
Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO)
Neill Edwards, 202/482-7473
neill.edwards@ciao.gov