For immediate release               Contact: Karen Ahearn

February 10, 2004               Communications Manager

DUQUESNE LIGHT INITIATES THIRD YEAR FUNDING TO

ALLEGHENY SCHOOLS SCIENCE EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY, INC.

PITTSBURGH -- The Achieving Student Success Through Excellence in Teaching (ASSET), Inc. has received a $20,000 from Duquesne Light Company as part of the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The grant represents Duquesne Light’s third year of supporting ASSET’s programs to encourage outstanding achievement in science and technology in the region’s schools. Under the terms of the EITC program, the company will repeat the grant in 2005.

Established in 1993, ASSET Inc. is an independent, nonprofit education reform initiative dedicated to continuously improve the teaching and learning process of teachers, with initial efforts in K-8 science education. ASSET has grown from two pilot districts to 38 member districts serving approximately 3,000 teachers and 63,000 students in 180 schools. The ASSET model has been replicated in more than 35 school districts in surrounding counties and is recognized as a national and state education reform leader.

“By improving the quality of teaching, we increase the opportunity for students’ to acquire life-long learning techniques, such as problem solving skills,” said Reeny D. Davison, executive director. “We do this by delivering teacher professional development that directly supports the use of standards-based science curriculum materials using an inquiry-based approach.” Davison added that the educational improvement grant by Duquesne Light furthers ASSET’s mission of encouraging students to ask questions and seek their own answers—thus, fostering critical thinking skills necessary in all fields.

“Duquesne Light’s success depends on the success of the region we serve,” said Pamela Coates, Duquesne Light’s manager of Community Relations. “To ensure that our students are ready to join the workforce of tomorrow, we have to support programs now that help prepare them for the future.”

By connecting with development programs at many fine regional amenities, such as the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium and the Carnegie Science Center , and with educational institutions such as Duquesne University , ASSET greatly enhances the curriculum it can offer teachers.

Duquesne Light’s contribution to educational improvement comes as a result of Pennsylvania legislation offering tax credits to businesses that make charitable contributions to state-approved educational or scholarship organizations.

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