DALLAS, April 5, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) aren't mandated for use until the 2011-2012 school year, Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL), a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products, is helping K-12 educators get a jump on preparing students for the demanding, new criterion-referenced tests. The company's highly-acclaimed Study Island instructional system now offers lessons and activities built directly from the Texas readiness and supporting standards that will be covered on the new STAAR tests.
Significantly more rigorous than previous tests, STAAR will measure a student's performance, as well as academic growth, in math, reading and writing, and science tests for grades 3-8, as well as end-of-course assessments for Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, English I, English II, English III, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, U.S. History, World Geography, and World History. The new Study Island content covers all these subjects.
Study Island offers inventive practice activities, customized assessments, and productivity tools that improve the performance of K-12 students and their teachers. Used by more than 23,000 schools across the country, the web-based educational program combines rigorous content in math, reading, writing, science and social studies with engaging, interactive features that reinforce and reward student accomplishments. With real-time reporting on student achievement, teachers can easily differentiate instruction to address learning gaps as they prepare for the new STAAR assessments to help students achieve the highest scores possible.
"As a 100 percent digital solution, Study Island is extremely agile. This allows us to help schools and districts quickly, and easily transition to the STAAR tests, with instruction, practice and assessment tools that address the specific knowledge and skills students will be required to master," said Tim McEwen, President and Chief Executive Officer for Archipelago Learning. "Just as we were the first to market with instruction aligned to the new Common Core State Standards, Study Island is once again at the forefront, providing teachers the tools they need to help students achieve success in their current grade or course, and successfully prepare for the next level."
Study Island is available for purchase by schools, districts and learning centers, as well as parents and students. More information along with pricing for individuals and quantity discounts for educational institutions is available at the Study Island website: www.studyisland.com.
About Archipelago Learning
Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL) is a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products used by approximately 13 million students in about 37,500 schools throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our supplemental product offerings facilitate the evolution of education as technology transforms the learning experience. For more information, please visit us at www.archipelagolearning.com.
Study Island is an instructional system that helps K-12 students master grade-level academic standards in a fun and engaging manner. More information, along with pricing for individuals and quantity discounts for educational institutions, is available at the Study Island website: www.studyisland.com.
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