Interim State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bernard J. Sadusky today announced the 24 semifinalists for the 2012 Parent Involvement Matters Award.

The Parent Involvement Matters Award (PIMA) Program is the nation's first statewide initiative of its kind – recognizing parents and legal guardians for their exceptional support of public education. Parents are nominated for demonstrating significant, positive impact in their education communities.

The 2012 Parent Involvement Matters Award will be presented during an evening celebration on Friday, May 18. Five finalists and a statewide winner, selected from the 24 semifinalists detailed below, will be announced during the award ceremony to be held at Eastern Technical High School in Baltimore County.

"I continue to be amazed and appreciative of what parents and guardians across Maryland are capable of achieving in our public schools. I take pride in honoring them because they play a vital role in the education of our future leaders," said Dr. Sadusky. "We all believe parent involvement to be the single most important factor that leads to student success."

The PIMA Program recognizes parents from local school systems across the State of Maryland, nominated for their contributions in one or more of the five areas of parental involvement: Communication; Volunteering; Learning; Decision Making; and Community Collaboration.

Many of the semifinalists from previous years have become parent involvement advocates on the statewide level – serving as members of task forces, presenters at statewide meetings, and participants in education conventions as well as focus groups. For a list of the 24 PIMA winners and their brief bio, please click on this link.

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is a Platinum Sponsor for the PIMA Program. This sponsorship is part of Target's ongoing efforts to build strong, safe, and healthy communities across the country. These efforts include Target's long history of giving 5 percent of its income to communities, which today equals more than $3 million every week. As part of this commitment, Target is on track to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015 to help kids learn, schools teach and parents and caring adults engage.

The PIMA Program is also supported by the Maryland Out of School Time Network / "The Safe and Sound Campaign," a Silver Sponsor, with additional support provided by Cullins Trucking Inc., Harvest Enterprises, Inc., and the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, Inc.