Farmers Insurance to Provide Free Civics and Literacy Education Materials to Texas Teachers.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Farmers Insurance Group is teaming up with the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) to provide Texas teachers with free civic education materials, the groups announced today.

"The American Promise," a free educational program brings the American democratic system to life, letting students experience firsthand what it's like to govern and make the decisions that bind us together as a country, will be unveiled at AASA's National Conference on Education(TM), Feb. 17-20, in San Antonio.

Since its premiere on PBS, "The American Promise" videos and accompanying lesson plans have reached 150,000 classrooms and more than 3 million students a year. Until this past fall, "The American Promise" offered only middle and high school level materials. But now, through a partnership with AASA, "The American Promise" Elementary School Edition -- "Promoting Citizenship Through Literacy," is now available for elementary schools.

The new elementary school materials provide civics lessons that comply with the literacy standards in Texas and AASA's commitment to making sure that public schools continue to fill their role as a cornerstone for the common good, providing the foundation for a civic society, that is critical to our democracy. "Preparing children for democracy is an important part of AASA's Stand Up for Public Education(TM) initiative," said AASA Executive Director Paul Houston.

"Like AASA, Farmers understands the important link between public schools and democracy and became concerned when budgetary cuts were forcing public schools to eliminate U.S. government classes. The fact that Farmers choose to do something about it -- by creating this educational program -- is a great example of corporate responsibility."

"When we interviewed elementary principals and educators they told us that they were in need of civic education materials, that met literacy standards," said Randy Rice, Executive Director of "The American Promise." "So in the back of the lesson plan booklet we have printed both the NCSS Standards for Social Studies and the NCTE/IRA Standards for the English Language Arts and how each of these standards relate to every lesson plan."

These lesson plans and videos are free to educators thanks to a grant from Farmers Insurance. "Creating and distributing educational programs has long been a priority for us at Farmers," said Luisa Acosta-Franco, Director of Sponsorship & Community Affairs. "'The American Promise' is the largest and most successful program we've ever initiated."

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) is the third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group in Texas. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the insurers comprising the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households through 17,000 exclusive and independent agents and district managers.

AASA, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children. AASA's major focus is standing up for public education.