Houghton Mifflin Co. News Release - November 10, 2006

Houghton Mifflin and ALAS Award Two $10,000 Scholarships to Aspiring Latino Administrators

BOSTON — November 10, 2006 — Houghton Mifflin Company and the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) today announced the recipients of two $10,000 scholarships to support the advancement of aspiring Latino administrators. Elizabeth J. Blanco of Whittier, Calif., and Anthony Chavez of Frisco, Texas, were chosen among a pool of accomplished applicants for their demonstrated educational leadership and commitment to becoming urban school superintendents.

"My career goal is to become a superintendent to ensure all students are afforded equity in education and the opportunity to reach their full potential," said Blanco. "Both Houghton Mifflin and ALAS share my commitment to help every child succeed. This scholarship will help me carry out our goals." 

Blanco, director of special education for the Rowland Unified School District, has been accepted into the Doctor of Education program at the University of Southern California. Chavez, assistant principal for the Dallas Independent School District, is currently enrolled in the Masters of Education program at Dallas Baptist University. The ALAS/Houghton Mifflin scholarship will be applied to their studies.

"With this scholarship, there will no longer be a delay between my master's and doctorate degrees," said Chavez. "I will be able to fulfill my career goals and dreams faster—and be a good role model for our growing student population."

By the year 2025, Latino children will comprise 25 percent of the nation's school-age population. In the largest states—California, Texas, New York and Florida—Latinos have already reached that level, yet less than 1 percent of the nation's educational leaders are Latino.

"Houghton Mifflin believes there is a critical need to assist Latino administrators in their quest to become superintendents," said Tony Lucki, chairman, president and CEO, Houghton Mifflin Company. "We're proud to support Elizabeth J. Blanco and Anthony Chavez, our promising leaders of tomorrow."

"ALAS is grateful and appreciative of our partnership with Houghton Mifflin," said Dr. Wilfredo T. Laboy, president of ALAS and superintendent of the Lawrence Public School District in Massachusetts. "We applaud them for investing in developing Latino educational leaders in this country."

About ALAS
ALAS is committed to identifying, recruiting, developing and advancing Latino school administrators and thus improving the educational accomplishments of Latino youth. The organization's three areas of focus are to provide professional development programs that strengthen the skills of superintendents, principals and other administrators; to facilitate information sharing around innovative instructional and learning strategies that have proven successful in motivating Latino youth and increasing Latino student achievement in critical learning areas; and to support policy advocacy to ensure high standards and quality in our public education.

About Houghton Mifflin
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Company is one of the leading educational publishers in the United States, with more than $1 billion in sales. Houghton Mifflin publishes textbooks, instructional technology, assessments and other educational materials for elementary and secondary schools and colleges. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers. With its origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. The Company's Web site can be found at www.hmco.com.