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The Louisiana Department of Education was set to introduce new education reform issues in 1998 as part of the state's LEAP 21 initiative. STRATEGIES: The Ehrhardt Group developed and implemented Reaching For Results -- a communication program to educate and raise awareness of parents, community leaders and the general public about student testing and school accountability. The Ehrhardt Group positioned education reform as a necessary tool to make Louisiana students more competitive nationally. RESULTS: The Ehrhardt Group and Department of Education representatives met with the editorial boards of the top 10 daily newspapers and the news directors of the top 15 television stations in Louisiana. Sample LEAP test questions and test strategies were distributed to more than 200 publications statewide. 1. The Ehrhardt Group negotiated with the eight largest newspapers in Louisiana to publish sample test questions and test strategies in the weeks leading up to the March 1999 tests. 2. The Ehrhardt Group coordinated partnerships between the Department of Education and the state's largest companies, such as International Paper and McDonald's, to participate in promotions aimed at educating families about Reaching for Results. 3. The Ehrhardt Group produced a 15-minute video for teachers and parents that was distributed to each school district in Louisiana. The Ehrhardt Group also negotiated with local cable television systems to air the video in advance of the March 1999 testing period.
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