New York, April 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FOX, FremantleMedia North America, 19 Entertainment, "American Idol" and Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF) announce the launch of the IDOL GIVES BACK education and empowerment web site for students and teachers, developed by the education experts at Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company. The web site offers a virtual classroom program, for grades K-12, to help raise awareness about important global issues and encourage school communities to get involved, take action and make a difference. Teachers and students can access these free materials at http://www.scholastic.com/idolgivesback.

"Because we live in a truly global society, it is more important than ever before to help America's children learn about and understand their world," said Karen Proctor, Vice President of Community Affairs, Scholastic. "Scholastic is proud to join CPEF, FOX, FremantleMedia North America, 19 Entertainment and 'American Idol' as the education partner for IDOL GIVES BACK, and to encourage meaningful discussions between students and their teachers about how young people can make a difference in their communities and in the world."

The online educational program, sponsored by the Skoll Foundation, includes a special edition student magazine called "Teen Citizen" for grades 6-8 and 9-12, and companion Teaching Guides that provide classroom lessons and activities on the importance of global citizenship. The web site will also feature a downloadable classroom poster with the special "IDOL" reading pledge, created by Scholastic for younger students in grades K-6, as well as age-appropriate classroom activities. These teaching tools were developed to help students gain a broader understanding of how young people around the world are taking action in big and small ways to help make their community and the world a better place.

The "Teen Citizen" online magazine profiles young role models who have taken action in their community and includes 2003 "American Idol" Clay Aiken who, in his role as UNICEF Ambassador, traveled to Uganda to visit families in need. After reading about what other young people have accomplished, students can make their own "I SAY YES! PLEDGE" and take their first step toward making a difference themselves. Through the web site's message board, students can share their pledges and experiences with other teens from across the country. Students can also learn more about important global issues and the charities that are involved in relief efforts in America and Africa.

"We are absolutely delighted to be working with Scholastic on IDOL GIVES BACK. Encouraging young people to learn about the causes of poverty and the steps that can be taken to eradicate it is right at the heart of CPEF's mission and Scholastic was the obvious choice to work with on this groundbreaking event. We never cease to be amazed by the creativity and passion that young people have to help those less fortunate than themselves and look forward to seeing the fruits of their imagination," stated Kevin Cahill, President of the Board, Charity Projects Entertainment Fund.

On Tuesday, April 24th during the broadcast of "American Idol" (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the Top 6 finalists will sing songs that can be considered "Life Anthems." In keeping with the IDOL GIVES BACK theme, all the songs performed will be about compassion and hope. After the performance, viewers can vote for their favorite contestants via toll-free numbers and text messages, and corporate sponsors such as News Corporation, Coca-Cola and AT&T will donate money to the cause. The following evening's broadcast will feature the contestant vote-off amidst a star-studded extravaganza of celebrities and recording artists urging Americans to make their own donations via toll-free telephone lines and the Internet. Ford will contribute generously by producing a very special music video. You'll get a sneak peek at the video on Wednesday night. Then the entire video will be available for download after the show. One hundred percent of the money generated will be contributed to IDOL GIVES BACK.

The money raised by the two shows will equally benefit charities in the U.S. and Africa. In the U.S., funds will be distributed via CPEF to Save the Children, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, America's Second Harvest and the Children's Health Fund, working to deliver programs to children living in extreme conditions in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country. In Africa, the money will be dedicated to delivering health and education programs and will be distributed via CPEF to a number of organizations, including U.S. Fund for UNICEF, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Save the Children, Nothing but Nets, and Malaria No More.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school- based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, http://www.scholastic.com/.

Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF) http://www.cpefund.org/. CPEF is a new charitable organization established to raise money and awareness to help combat extreme poverty in the U.S. and throughout the world, particularly in Africa. CPEF's mission is to use the power of entertainment to drive positive change to achieve its vision of creating a just world free from poverty. CPEF is inspired and supported by the UK charity that invented Red Nose Day.

CONTACT: Sara Sinek of Scholastic Inc., +1-212-343-6899,
ssinek@scholastic.com; or Jill Hudson of Fox, +1-310-369-2953,
jill.hudson@fox.com; or Eric Green of BWR for 19 Entertainment,
+1-310-248-6150, egreen@bwr-la.com; or Manfred Westphal of FremantleMedia
North America, +1-818-748-1148, Manfred.Westphal@fremantlemedia.com; or
Matthew Hiltzik of Freud Communications for CPEF, +1-212-582-9795,
matthew.hiltzik@freud.com

Web site: http://www.scholastic.com/
http://www.scholastic.com/idolgivesback
http://www.cpefund.org/