The American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the nation's largest organization representing school administrators, named Rochester City School District Superintendent Manuel Rivera the 2006 National Superintendent of the Year. A blue ribbon panel of educators, business leaders, and government officials selected Rivera from four finalists. He has been superintendent of the 46,700-student Rochester, New York, district since 2002.

The Rochester City School District was in the first cohort of districts to adopt the America's Choice school design initiative. Today, 35 schools in the district use the design.

In making the award to Rivera, the AASA noted his high-quality leadership and his focus on raising achievement standards. Although Rochester ranks 11th in the nation in child poverty, the district has achieved dramatic improvements in the past three years in the number of students passing statewide exams. In honor of the award, a student in the high school from which Rivera graduated or from a school now serving the same area will receive a $10,000 college scholarship in Rivera's name.

America's Choice congratulates Manny on his extraordinary achievement.