AUSTIN, Texas, June 30, 2009 - Austin Partners in Education ("Partners") is pleased to announce that KDK-Harman Foundation has approved a grant in the amount of $55,000 to significantly enhance the 8th grade Partners in Math program. With these funds, the Partners in Math program will undergo strategic changes, including development of a new program curriculum and additional volunteer training.

“We are so grateful for the KDK-Harman Foundation’s support of Partners and in particular, our nationally-recognized Partners in Math program,” said Kathrin Brewer, Executive Director, Austin Partners in Education. “These funds will help us continue our efforts to reach even more students and to further improve the program going forward.”

“KDK-Harman Foundation is happy to collaborate with Partners again this year through its 8th grade Partners in Math program. Research shows that supporting students in math during middle school is critical to ensuring students are college and career ready by the time they graduate from high school. We consider Partners in Math to be a best-in-class strategy to reach as many 8th grade students as possible,” said Janet Harman, President and Founder of KDK-Harman Foundation.

Because of the service KDK-Harman performs for Central Texas, Partners honored the foundation at its Salute 2009 event last month with the Chairs Award, an honor reserved for the most dedicated and active leaders in education in Austin.

About Austin Partners in Education

Austin Partners in Education is a stand-alone not-for-profit organization supported by a unique partnership with the Austin Independent School District and the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Partners creates and fosters effective community and school partnerships that provide all AISD students preparation for college and career.

This preparation is achieved though an effective and cost-efficient model, Classroom Coaching, which engages more than 100 classrooms in small groups of three to four students at key developmental points; 2nd grade reading, 8th grade math, and high school college readiness. Each small group works at its level on core curriculum with a volunteer Coach with teachers providing support. www.austinpartners.org

About KDK-Harman Foundation

KDK-Harman Foundation was founded by Janet E. Harman in December 2004. The Foundation provides financial and capacity-building resources to education-focused nonprofits that assist disadvantaged Central Texas families, with a focus on women, to help them achieve educational success. The ultimate goal of such funding is to transform their lives from poverty to financial independence to enable a better life for themselves and future generations. The Foundation supports programs within Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, Burnet and Llano counties.