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Weekly Reader Students 'Elect' President Bush
Monday October 25, 7:03 am ET
Students Nationwide Catch Election Fever

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- President Bush will be
staying
in the White House for four more years if Weekly Reader students have
their say.

Hundreds of thousands of students participated in this year's poll
through classroom elections nationwide. President Bush had a
commanding
lead over Senator Kerry, capturing more than 60% of the votes.

Since 1956, Weekly Reader students in grades 1-12 have correctly
picked
the president making the Weekly Reader poll one of the most accurate
predictors of presidential outcomes in history.

Although Weekly Reader students didn't "elect" Senator Kerry, they
gave
him the nod in Maryland. Senator Kerry was also in a statistical dead
heat with President Bush in New York, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C.,
and Vermont. Among tenth-graders, Senator Kerry was also a big winner.

This year students caught the election fever. More than 20% more
students
participated in this year's Weekly Reader poll than ever before.
Thousands
of students in every grade K-12 participated. Third- and
fourth-graders
were the most enthusiastic voters. More than 57,000 students in each
of
those grades cast a vote.

The election poll is part of an overall educational program called
"Promote the Vote," created by Weekly Reader to teach students about
the issues, the candidates, the election process, and the importance
of
a democracy.

"This program teaches students that voting is a privilege and a
responsibility," said Emily Swenson, President of Weekly Reader.
"Through this authentic experience, we are hoping students will become
advocates and lifelong voters. And -- although the election may be
over
in eight days, the learning will continue."

Weekly Reader has announced a new essay contest Write Your Own
Acceptance
Speech. The contest is designed to continue to teach reading, writing
and research skills to students in grades 3-12. Students will also
follow the first 100 days in office through Weekly Reader's magazines.

Classrooms across the country submitted ballots, called in results via
a toll-free number, or voted online. Zogby International, which has
been
conducting public opinion polls since 1984, tracked the votes. The
poll
is not scientifically based. It was designed to be an educational
activity
that will encourage students to read, write, research and debate.

About Weekly Reader

Weekly Reader Corporation is a leader in educational publishing.
Created in 1902, Weekly Reader® publishes 16 magazines and a variety
of
other supplemental products that reinforce curriculum, help teachers
meet
standards, and engage students. All sixteen magazines have won awards
for excellence in educational journalism. Weekly Reader® currently
serves
approximately nine million students and 300,000 teachers nationwide.

Weekly Reader Corporation is part of WRC Media Inc., a leading
publishing
and media company that creates and distributes innovative
supplementary
education materials for the school, library, and home markets. In
addition to Weekly Reader Corporation, WRC Media's operating companies
include AGS Publishing, CompassLearning®, World Almanac Education
Group,
Inc., and WRC Consumer and Custom Publishing Group, which together
market some of the best- known brands in educational publishing.