DALLAS, June 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL), a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products, today announced that Texas' Region 5 Education Service Center (ESC) has added the Study Island instructional system to its Special Education Teaching & Assessment Materials category. Region 5 is an educational service cooperative that offers services, programs and support to the schools of Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson Orange, Newton and Tyler counties, encompassing some 87,000 students and 6,100 educators.
"The approval of Study Island by the Region 5 ESC is an exciting endorsement of our flagship product and is another signal that the digital transformation of K-12 education is underway," said Tim McEwen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Archipelago Learning. "Study Island is a high impact, low cost educational solution that eliminates the need to purchase disparate systems. Due to the Region 5 ESC decision, it will now be even more cost-effective for hundreds more Texas schools to take advantage of Study Island's individualized, web-based educational resources, saving thousands of dollars annually while at the same time improving student and teacher performance."
With lessons and activities built directly from the Texas readiness and supporting standards that will be covered on the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR™) tests, Study Island 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 performance, teachers can easily differentiate instruction to address learning gaps and help students prepare for state assessments. The award-winning system also includes tools for parent communication, collaboration and planning, and professional development.
Study Island allows teachers to customize instruction to each student's individual needs, which is particularly important in special education classes. Students can study individually in standard test format or interactive game mode, or as a group through classroom response systems. By providing engaging, self-paced instruction and positive reinforcement, Study Island helps students take control of their learning and build their confidence, while creating a culture of academic success.
About Archipelago Learning
Archipelago Learning (Nasdaq:ARCL) is a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products used by approximately 14 million students in about 37,600 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.
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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.