A TWO-PART "OPRAH'S SPECIAL REPORT: AMERICAN SCHOOLS IN CRISIS"

***Featuring an Exclusive TV Interview with Bill and Melinda Gates***

CHICAGO - In a two-day special report, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" goes inside high schools across the country for an unflinching investigation. Oprah says, "Most Americans have no idea how bad things really are. We are in a state of emergency. I'm blown away that this isn't what is on every parent's mind when it comes to elections. That people are not in the streets fighting for their kids."

On Tuesday, April 11's episode:

* Bill and Melinda Gates tell Oprah that they are terrified about the disastrous consequences of American's failing high school education system. Bill Gates says, "I think it's fair to say the future of this country depends solely on renewing our commitment to education."

* "The Oprah Winfrey Show" conducts its own experiment swapping inner-city Chicago public high school students with those from a suburban school to compare the two environments with shocking results.

* CNN's Anderson Cooper exposes "Oprah" viewers to the appalling conditions of a Washington, DC school only minutes from the White House.

* Investigative journalist Lisa Ling uncovers the silent epidemic in middle suburban America where the high school dropout rate has spiraled out of control.

As part of this special two-part programming, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" partnered with TIME magazine to examine the high school dropout crisis in America. Some of "The Oprah Winfrey Show"/TIME poll's findings included:

- 61% of Americans think that the public school system is in crisis.

- 52% of Americans polled believe that public schools have gotten

worse in the last 20 years.

- 59% of respondents are willing to pay higher taxes to improve public schools.

On Wednesday, April 12's episode:

* Oprah joins Bill and Melinda Gates on a field trip to a cutting edge school in San Diego that may be part of the solution.

* Former NBA star Kevin Johnson shares why he now runs six schools in his Sacramento neighborhood.

* Anderson Cooper visits a ground breaking KIPP school to see how its innovative teaching methods have overcome impossible odds.

* Lisa Ling goes inside the first-ever high school behind bars in San Francisco to spotlight the hidden connection between low reading scores and prison time.

* Plus, viewers are introduced to a nationwide campaign, which the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is helping to fund, to create awareness and get the public involved with revolutionizing the education system.

Tune in to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 and Wednesday, April 12, 2006 to see these special episodes (check local listings).

NOTE TO READERS: A photo of Oprah Winfrey with Bill and Melinda Gates is available by request by emailing: harpo_pr@harpo-pr.interaccess.com

From the eddra listserve, Sunday, April 9, 2006.