The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation proudly announces the winners of the second annual Fordham Prizes for Excellence in Education. Howard L. Fuller will receive the Fordham Prize for Valor, which is conferred upon a leader who has made major contributions to education reform through noteworthy accomplishments at the national, state, local, and/or school levels. The Prize for Distinguished Scholarship, which is given to a scholar who has made major contributions to education reform via research, analysis, and successful engagement in the war of ideas, is awarded this year to Eric A. Hanushek. Each prize carries a $25,000 cash award.
"It's an honor for us to recognize Howard Fuller and Rick Hanushek," said foundation president Chester E. Finn, Jr. "The judges were unanimous. The Fordham board was unanimous. And it was a thrill for me to tell them they had won. Both have labored in the education-reform vineyards for decades. Both have done incredible work. Each has changed American K-12 education in profound and positive ways. Yet because many of those changes defy conventional thinking, established assumptions and entrenched interests, neither has been properly recognized for his vision, courage and accomplishments. The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation is pleased to help redress that injustice."
For more information on Fordham prizes and the 2004 recipients, go to http://www.edexcellence.net/template/page.cfm?id=272. You can also find information there about nominating candidates for the 2005 prize cycle.