TEANECK, N.J., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, today endorsed new "Vital Signs" reports that offer states recommendations on strengthening their K-12 math and science standards to better prepare their students to compete globally. The national CEO-led coalition Change the Equation, which created the reports, is calling for a sustained commitment from each Governor and the Mayor of the District of Columbia to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning nationwide.

The Vital Signs reports compile critical data on the current condition of STEM learning in each state and the District of Columbia, and offer specific recommendations to each state on how to boost student outcomes by concentrating on key areas such as raising the bar on state tests and focusing on achievement gaps.

Cognizant CEO and President Francisco D'Souza, who is a member of Change the Equation, said, "The U.S. ranks behind 16 other developed nations in science, and behind 24 other developed nations in math. Cognizant is committed to reversing this trend by investing in meaningful STEM programs that will meet a critical need for a workforce and a citizenry fluent in science and math."

Each state Vital Signs report contains data in six key areas of STEM learning: academic expectations; state standards and tests; student performance and achievement gaps; teaching and learning; preparing for and succeeding in college; and teacher quality. Change the Equation is already at work compiling more comprehensive data on STEM learning nationwide, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Copies of each report and more information about the work of Change the Equation can be found on its website, www.changetheequation.org.

About Change the Equation (CTEq)

CTEq is a non-profit, non-partisan CEO-led initiative to solve America's innovation problem. We answer the call of President Obama's Educate to Innovate Campaign by committing to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning for every child, with a particular focus on girls and students of color, who have long been underrepresented in STEM fields.

About Cognizant

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 50 delivery centers worldwide and approximately 104,000 employees as of December 31, 2010, Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 1000 and is ranked among the top-performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com or follow us on Twitter: Cognizant.

Forward-Looking Statements

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