Georgia Districts Implementing Classworks Instructional Software Report State Test Score Gains

Three districts describe their success using Classworks to address Georgia
Performance Standards and improve CRCT scores
DULUTH, Ga.--(Business Wire)--
Since the state of Georgia launched the Georgia Performance Standards, schools
have been working to enhance their instruction to help students achieve the
rigorous expectations for student work. At least three Georgia school districts
that integrate Classworks comprehensive K-12 instructional software into their
curriculum report that the targeted, standards-based instruction is an important
factor in achieving success on the Georgia Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests
(CRCT).

Commerce City Schools, Buford City Schools and Barrow County Schools each import
students` CRCT scores into Classworks to create individualized learning paths
for each student, based on his or her own scores. Since implementing Classworks,
the Georgia districts have achieved gains on the CRCT and helped students become
more engaged in the learning process.

Developed by Georgia-based Curriculum Advantage, Classworks provides
individualized instruction in math, reading, language arts and science to bring
at-risk students to grade level proficiency, accelerate learning for mainstream
students, and help English learners build fluency. It offers educators more than
17,000 activities drawn from 265 top software titles to customize instruction
and increase performance. Currently, more than 150,000 students across the state
use Classworks to help them reach their potential.

Commerce City Schools

In 2006, Commerce City Schools began using the software to help students improve
their performance in math and reading/English language arts. Currently all K-8
students, as well as English language learners (ELL) and special education
students in grades 9-12, use Classworks. As part of the district`s Response to
Intervention (RtI) model, students in Tiers 2 and 3 also work on customized
Classworks assignments before and after school. From 2006 to 2009, the
percentage of students performing at or above the proficient level on the CRCT
rose from 81 to 91 percent in math, and from 90 to 96 percent in reading/English
language arts.

According to Mona Haynes, director of instructional technology for Commerce City
Schools, a key benefit of Classworks is that it allows each student to work at
his or her own pace as they complete activities aligned to the GPS. "If students
need extra help, they can receive remedial lessons in Classworks. Or if they
complete and master the units in one subject area at their own grade level, they
can begin working on the next grade level," she said. "When students are working
on Classworks, they are completely focused. It keeps students on task and that`s
made a difference in their performance."

Buford City Schools

In Buford City Schools, Buford Middle School and Buford Academy implement
Classworks to provide individualized instruction to all students in grades 2-8.
The schools also integrate Classworks across all four tiers of their RtI model.
In addition, the district uses Classworks Language Learner Series in its
Language Academy, a program for middle and high school students who do not speak
English, to help students build fluency. Since 2006, the district has achieved
gains on the CRCT in reading/English language arts and significantly reduced the
number of special education referrals. During the 2008-09 school year, the
district experienced a 39 percent decrease in special education referrals, and
had a 55 percent decrease in the number of ELL students referred to special
education.

"Our CRCT scores have steadily increased since we implemented Classworks at
Buford Middle School and Buford Academy. Our administrators believe that taking
a targeted and individualized approach to learning has been instrumental to our
schools` academic success," said Lori McCoy, director of technology for Buford
City Schools. "Classworks gives our teachers the tools to deliver differentiated
instruction and multi-tiered interventions to address the needs of all
students."

Barrow County Schools

Barrow County Schools implements Classworks in all 11 elementary and middle
schools to improve student achievement in math. Bramlett Elementary began using
Classworks in February 2009 to deliver interventions to targeted students. While
Barrow County experienced gains on the CRCT district-wide, Bramlett Elementary
achieved the greatest gains thanks to its intensive use of the software prior to
the CRCT. From 2008 to 2009, math proficiency improved from 73 percent to 82
percent at Bramlett Elementary. Hispanic, ELL and economically disadvantaged
students had double-digit gains in math proficiency. Students with disabilities
had the largest gain-28.5 percentage points.

"Classworks has proven to be an integral component in the academic gains of our
students," said Michael Mehrhof, assistant principal of Bramlett Elementary. "I
utilized Classworks myself with three weekly groups of bubble, high-impact, and
`key` students in the computer lab. The students enjoyed their time working on
the program, and our gains in performance on the 2009 CRCT are a reflection, in
part, of the benefits of supplementing quality classroom instruction with a
quality, technology-based program such as Classworks."

About Curriculum Advantage

Curriculum Advantage Inc. (www.curriculumadvantage.com) is the developer of the
award-winning Classworks system of K-12 reading and mathematics instruction and
learning tools. Available as a web-based or networked solution, Classworks`
activities are correlated to national and state learning standards and state
tests, and include prescriptive and summative assessment, remediation and
reporting tools. Classworks Language Learner Series addresses English as Second
Language learning with content that focuses on auditory, visual and
tactile/kinesthetic components.

Eicher Communications Inc.
Leslie Eicher, APR, 314-965-1776
Leslie@EicherCommunications.com
or
Curriculum Advantage
Melissa Sinunu, Chief Operations Officer, 770-325-5540
msinunu@curriculumadvantage.com

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