Students Improve Average of 14 Percent on PSSAs Through Use of Apangea Learning's SmartHelp
Posted on: Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 09:01 CST
BLAIRSVILLE, Pa., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Apangea Learning, an educational support company that enables students to dramatically improve achievement, is readying more than 50 Pennsylvania schools and 12,000 Pennsylvania students for this year's Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test. The PSSAs are being administered from March 21-30, 2006. Gains in math scores of 30 percent have been realized by students using SmartHelp from Apangea. Sixty percent of students (sample: basic/below basic student) improved an average of 14 percent measured against the PSSA (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment) replication exam - with only 32 hours of tutoring.
"The PSSA is Pennsylvania's most important assessment tool, and SmartHelp is one of the only systems known to help raise test scores for students taking the test," Lou Piconi, Apangea CEO, said. "The combination of live one-on-one tutors, artificial intelligence, and rich audio and visual elements is the ideal balance for reaching all students, including those who, to this point, have been the most difficult to engage."
SmartHelp is delivered over the Internet, with an artificial intelligence engine providing support to students until they are in need of a live tutor. Live tutors are available 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday - Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.
SmartHelp's success with standardized testing is due in part to its systematic approach to the problem-solving process. Students learn how to solve word problems - not just how to arrive at the right answers. With Apangea Learning SmartHelp, students can't guess their way to a correct answer. Rather, they must successfully complete a seven-step process when solving each problem. Through SmartHelp, students learn this seven-step process and are able to apply this process to other problems, including those on the PSSA.
The PSSA is a state-mandated test given each year to third-, fifth-, eighth- and 11th-graders. It is designed to measure how well pupils have achieved in reading and math, according to the state Department of Education. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires all students to be proficient in math and reading by 2014.
About Apangea Learning
Apangea Learning is setting a new standard in the way students learn, enabling students to dramatically improve achievement, at the most cost-effective price. Apangea provides differentiated instruction for every student via a unique integration of artificial intelligence and live one-on-one human tutors. Apangea Learning's solutions, including its groundbreaking SmartHelp, are based on one of the world's largest bodies of cognitive research and utilize innovative Web-based technology that engages students and teaches fundamental problem-solving skills. Visit Apangea Learning on the Web at http://www.apangealearning.com/.
Apangea Learning
CONTACT: Jennifer Bannan of Zer0 to 5ive, +1-412-580-3675, for ApangeaLearning
Web site: http://www.apangealearning.com/
Source: PRNewswire
Related Articles
- Apangea Learning Announces Record-Breaking First Quarter
- Apangea Learning Announces First Annual Intern Award
- Apangea Learning Brings Differentiated Instruction Nationwide
- University of Chicago's North Kenwood/Oakland Charter School Chooses Apangea Learning's SmartHelp
- New York City, Philadelphia and Miami-Dade County School Districts Select Apangea Learning's SmartHelp
- Apangea Learning's SmartHelp to Improve Student Achievement for Several New Regions
- More Than 20 New Regional Schools and Districts Activate Apangea Learning's Smart Help This School Year
- Apangea Learning Launches SmartHelp LIVE
- Apangea Learning Expands Customer Base
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds