Years of Working Together to Improve Education Yields Results

Jackson, Miss. -- The Mississippi Association of Partners in Education twice recognized Entergy as a top Mississippi school-community partner during the annual Governor's Awards. Held at the 27th annual State Conference, the Governor's Awards recognize creative, results-oriented partnerships that emphasize student achievement in reading, science and math, the arts, fitness and health, community involvement, and many other areas that are vital to academic enrichment.

Entergy was the recipient of the 2012 Governor's Award of Distinction along with the Laura Bush Foundation, Jackson State University, Home Depot and others that serve as models for community partnerships focused on academics and community development. Entergy also accepted a second award for work done with the Claiborne County School District in Port Gibson. Together, Entergy and Claiborne County work on innovative educational and community initiatives. Port Gibson is the home of Entergy's Grand Gulf Nuclear Station.

	"It is extremely satisfying to be recognized for this partnership," said Don Arnold, Entergy customer service manager in Claiborne County. "Together Entergy and Claiborne County educators and parents work hard to enrich the lives of students and citizens in many ways. Claiborne County is a long-standing partnership that we deeply value."
Former Mississippi Governor William Winter (third from right) is flanked by representatives from Claiborne County and Entergy during the award presentation.

Entergy contributions to the Claiborne County school district supported the purchase of smart-technology white boards (SmartBoards) for middle schools and initiated a local partnership with Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) USA. DOT representatives worked to place tech-savvy interns in the classrooms, providing one-on-one coaching for both students and teachers. Other support from DOT includes helping expand the classrooms' understanding of existing SmartBoards; facilitation of technology equipment repairs, putting existing nonfunctioning equipment back in service; and working directly with county school leadership on a long-term technology plan.

Another significant activity made possible through Entergy's partnership included a grant to the Mississippi Natural Science Museum, where Claiborne County schoolchildren experienced "Nature Express," a traveling science initiative. Entergy also provided seed money for a new chapter of Parents for Public Schools, and helped facilitate the "Get on the Bus" initiative aimed at improving graduation rates. Through a grant to Alcorn State University with teaching support from Entergy's Grand Gulf employees, Claiborne County students also can participate in a Saturday Science Academy, an advanced curriculum in math and science offered at the nearby college campus each Saturday during the school year.

Claiborne County schools were also one of the first to adopt Entergy's "Power Path to Nuclear Energy" science curriculum which expands students' understanding of nuclear energy and is supported through classroom presentations by Grand Gulf employees. The award-winning partnership between Claiborne County and Entergy over the years has yielded results. Port Gibson Middle School advanced to a "High Performing "High Performing School" rating according to the Mississippi curriculum test scores. Over the past three years, students scoring "proficient" and above in Reading/Language Arts increased by 12% and in the area of Math increased by 14%.

"Our partnership with Entergy has provided resources and funding for many innovative programs that would not exist without the community support network we have built together," said Parent and Community Relations Coordinator Angela Hampton. "In the face of mounting budget cuts in public education, good neighbors like Entergy are providing essential resources that our schools need to offer creative, high-quality learning opportunities that benefit students, teachers, parents and communities."

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $11 billion and approximately 15,000 employees.