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Atlanta (February 25, 1997) - MindSpring (Nasdaq/NM:MSPG), a national Internet Service Provider recently named a "Best Buy" by PC World magazine, announced details of its new School Partnership Program today.
Already, more than 1300 schools have benefited from MindSpring's School Partnership. Now, MindSpring is adding value to the partnership by adding a proprietary Education page that reviews and links relevant Web resources and a template that makes it easy for schools to create their site on the World Wide Web. MindSpring was one of the first Internet Service Providers to provide free Internet access to schools.
"We believe an important part of supporting our community includes supporting our schools," according to MindSpring program management director Elizabeth Pulver Castleman. "That's why we offer an innovative program that provides schools and families with the tools to help them get the most out of the Internet. We think it is the most comprehensive program available from an Internet Service Provider."
Castleman said that "the Internet gives students and educators access to a wealth of information from all over the world, as well as the tools to communicate with other people, see new places and share their creativity with the world."
Nonetheless, Castleman pointed out that accessing the Internet can be an expensive proposition that doesn't always fit into a school's budget. "That's why MindSpring has developed a program that allows schools to earn grants to receive Internet service free of charge," she said. "In addition, participating schools are provided with tools designed specifically to help schools access the Internet's vast educational content, build exciting web sites with information for parents, students and other schools, and to learn how other schools are using the Internet in education."
The program was developed with help from Dr. Donata Renfrow, who has been an educator and education consultant for more than 25 years. "I was interested in bringing Internet resources to teachers," she explains. "So I started looking for a partner. As a satisfied MindSpring customer, I knew of their core values and beliefs. What better company to team with? MindSpring was planning to enhance its own school partnership program, so the timing was perfect."
Dr. Renfrow helped MindSpring shape the program, organize focus groups, and review resources for inclusion on the Education Web Site.
Renfrow pointed out that "teachers don't just need access to the Internet, they need quick access to the material they're looking for. A novice can easily spend hours working with search engines and come up with nothing. Teachers and students just don't have the time! That's why it's important to provide them with an Education web site with links to the most in-depth and most popular resources. Working with media specialists, we found that the first experience of the Web can be quite intimidating. We wanted to make things friendly, convenient and easy."
Renfrow added detailed reviews and descriptions to the Education site. "These descriptions help them judge what's available to see if it meets their needs."
Dr. Renfrow added that "giving schools space for a Web site is also a good thing, but it's not enough. Who has time to learn how to create a good site, and then maintain it? Who has the expertise? Educators certainly don't. We created a template that serves as a simple model and offers concise instructions. It's gives everyone a nice head start."
Schools that take full advantage of the partnership with MindSpring receive:
Families benefit as well. Remember when teachers used to have to pin a note to a student's shirt? No more. The school's Web site can provide current information regarding school activities, so parents and educators can have better lines of communication. There's even an on-line permission slip!
Students with a MindSpring account can use the information on the exclusive Education Site for research, so they spend less time looking and more time learning. Finally, when a family calls MindSpring to open an account and mentions the school as a referral source, the school earns a $10 credit towards additional accounts and other services.
The basic cost of the program to the school is $20 a month, or $240 a year (a discount of approximately 25% from MindSpring's regular rates). However, schools can earn grants from MindSpring that add up to $240, completely offsetting the entire year of service. A $100 presentation grant is provided to schools that invite a MindSpring representative to a PTA meeting or similar function to introduce MindSpring and explain how the school is benefiting from the partnership. A $100 grant is awarded to schools that create their own Web site, and a $40 Newsletter grant is awarded to schools who publish an article about the partnership in a newsletter or other publication. In addition, the school receives $10 for every new MindSpring subscriber that mentions the partnership.
The program is available in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, and New York City. "If it is successful, it may be expanded nationwide at a later date," Castleman said. Schools interested in the program should call the MindSpring sales desk toll free at 1-888-677-7464 or in Atlanta, (404) 815-0082 and request information. They will receive a complete sign-up kit and registration forms.
MindSpring is a leading Internet service provider focusing on delivering outstanding service and support to its customers. By following its core values and beliefs (www.mindspring.com/aboutms/core.html), MindSpring is committed to doing an exceptional job of serving its customers, its employees, its owners and its community. PC World magazine awarded MindSpring a prestigious "Best Buy" ranking in its February, 1997 issue and PC Magazine recently awarded MindSpring "excellent" ratings in the categories of setup/orientation, software and technical support. MindSpring ranked first in InfoWorld's poll of end users.
MindSpring subscribers can browse the World Wide Web, send electronic mail, participate in informative on-line chats and access over 24,000 newsgroups. MindSpring offers local Internet service in more than 200 locations throughout the United States. MindSpring is one of the nation's largest providers of Web Hosting services. To learn more about MindSpring and its services, visit the web site at www.mindspring.com or call (800) 719-4332.
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