Study Island and NWEA MAP Integration - Coming Soon!

Archipelago Learning, a PLATO Learning company, has just announced the official agreement to team with the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) following a successful pilot integration of Study Island with NWEA’s MAP assessments in Kentucky and Arizona.

When the partnership kicks into gear later this school year, Study Island will leverage detailed data in the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) about where students are performing to prescribe learning paths within Study Island that target each student’s specific needs based on their MAP results.

Students can select the topic or topics to practice based on their prescribed learning strand and the NWEA MAP report provides educators a detailed analysis of individual student progress allowing them to personalize learning experiences for students in Study Island based on MAP results.

Look for more information on this powerful partnership coming soon.

Summer Academic Challenge from Study Island

Keep students sharp this summer with Study Island

Whether they are in school or at home, ensure your students are in tip-top shape when they return to classes this fall by competing in the Study Island Summer Academic challenge: July 2-27, 2012.

Compete to win $500 in Archipelago Learning products!

Joining the challenge is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3

1 REGISTER your school online by Monday, July 2.

2 COMPETE. Schools across the country compete by correctly answering as many Study Island questions as they can throughout the month of July.

3 WIN prizes!

Here is the link with information about the contest and how to register: www.studyislandemails.com/summerchallenge/

JCPS announces "Every 1 Learns" using Study Island

Community collaboration extends learning and enrichment.

School may be out for the summer, but learning continues thanks to a new multi-faceted community partnership. Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens has introduced the Every 1 Learns initiative, which will extend learning time for students beyond the traditional classroom by providing engaging instructional and cultural opportunities.

One facet of the initiative is centered on extended learning programs called Study Island and SuccessMaker, which are accessible at local Learning Place sites. Until now, the programs were accessible only for students significantly below grade level in math or reading, but Dr. Hargens announced that all students are now eligible to use them.

Parents can register their child for the learning programs by calling 485-7455. Parents and students can find facilities near them that offer the programs by visiting the Learning Place Finder on the JCPS Web site at http://apps.jefferson.kyschools.us/Demographics/LearningPlaceFinder.aspx.

The programs also can be accessed at home on any computer with Internet access. “Learning cannot end when the bell rings,” Hargens says. “This community effort ensures students are presented with engaging opportunities to grow academically that produce real results and increase student achievement.”

Data shows that JCPS students have increased instructional time and have improved grade level knowledge through the learning programs. Study Island offers online instruction, review, and practice in mastering grade level state standards for students in grades 3-12. SuccessMaker is a digitally driven program for reading and math instruction. Typically used by students in grades 3-8, the program includes games, videos, and interactive text designed for 21st century learners.

Dr. Hargens also announced a community partnership that promotes enrichment opportunities at several locations in our community. When students visit places like the Louisville Zoo and the Louisville Science Center, they can scan a QR code that will let them register their enrichment time at the facility. A list of participating facilities is available through the Learning Place Finder.

A video of the Every 1 Learns announcement is available on the JCPS YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/jcpsweb.

Study Island Launches Common Core Benchmarking Program for Grades 6-8

Archipelago Learning, a PLATO Learning company, has launched Study Island's Common Core Benchmarking for grades 6-8. Study Island is a web-based instruction, practice and learning program built from individual state and Common Core standards. The new benchmarking tests allow teachers of grades 6-8 to better evaluate students' proficiencies against the Common Core Standards.

Designed to help prepare students for success in college and their future careers, the Common Core Standards provide clarity to teachers on what they are expected to teach in math and English language arts. The standards, which have now been formally adopted by all but four states, allow teachers to tailor teaching to expected outcomes, and give students greater understanding of what concepts they are expected to master. With Common Core

Benchmarking in Study Island, teachers can easily pinpoint student strengths and weaknesses at a specific point in time against the Common Core Standards.

"Study Island Common Core Benchmarking acts as an instant diagnostic for teachers to target an individual student's needs," said Cathy Caldwell, vice president, product development for Archipelago Learning. "Where the Common Core Standards serve to create efficiency and manage expectations, benchmarking optimizes a teacher's resources so instruction can be applied where it is needed most."

Earlier this year, the award-winning Study Island program added Common Core Benchmarking for grades 3-5.

About Archipelago Learning

Archipelago Learning, a PLATO Learning company, is a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products used by approximately 14 million students in nearly 38,700 schools throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our comprehensive digital supplemental product suite uses technology to transform education. We make rigorous learning fun, engaging, accessible and affordable. For more information, please visit us at http://www.archipelagolearning.com/.