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CompassLearning Launches Odyssey(R) Mathematics Curriculum for Grades 7-8; Brain Research-Based Curriculum Helps Students Achieve Mastery in Mathematics and Prepares Them for Success in Algebra and High-Stakes Tests

Posted on: Wednesday, 5 July 2006, 12:00 CDT

CompassLearning, a leading provider of K-12 education software that empowers educators to teach and students to learn more effectively, announced today the launch of Odyssey(R) Mathematics 7-8, a standards-aligned curriculum that provides comprehensive coverage of mathematics for seventh and eighth grade students.

Odyssey Mathematics 7-8 is based on scientifically-based brain research about effective learning that enables students to connect more easily with math concepts and procedures. In addition, the software has been designed to build "procedural fluency," the skill needed to carry out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently and appropriately. This ability is needed to develop an understanding of mathematics and problem solving skills. Odyssey Mathematics 7-8 also motivates learners to have a "productive disposition" (Hiebert and Carpenter, 1992) toward math. A productive disposition is visible in students who see mathematics as sensible, useful and worthwhile in addition to believing in themselves as effective learners and doers of mathematics.

Designed to supplement a core instruction curriculum and support the instructional needs of today's diverse classrooms, CompassLearning's Odyssey(R) Mathematics 7-8 software provides coverage of key mathematics objectives as well as five content strands: Number and Operations, Geometry, Measurement, Algebra and Data Analysis. In addition, the program instruction and interaction supports the development of NCTM Process Standards of Problem Solving, Reasoning and Proof, Representation, Communication and Connections.

CompassLearning's Odyssey(R) Mathematics 7-8 curriculum also:

-- Integrates innovative tools and makes concepts and procedures visual for the learner

-- Uses student interaction to maintain focus and drive understanding

-- Includes commonly-used and grade-appropriate language to connect online instruction to the instruction used in the classroom

-- Enables students to practice math problems before being scored

-- Allows teachers to aggregate and disaggregate data so they may better understand student progress and provides comprehensive assessments and automatic prescriptions for students' learning paths

-- Launches automatic instruction for activities when a score of 80% or better does not occur

-- Maintains quick pacing and continuing interaction for maximum engagement

-- Offers opportunities for exploration, discovery and problem solving, communicating and guided work to ensure retention

-- Runs on the Odyssey(R) platform

"The Odyssey(R) Mathematics 7-8 curriculum is founded on the need to help students build strong math skills while offering opportunities for exploration and problem solving," said Ann Henson, Vice President, Curriculum and Instruction, CompassLearning. "Designed to promote 'deep learning,' which is knowledge that sticks in the mind and creates a strong foundation for future learning, our Mathematics 7-8 product is the kind of curriculum that is crucial to success in today's education environment."

For more information about Odyssey(R) Mathematics 7-8, or any of the other CompassLearning products, please visit booth #3400 at NECC or www.compasslearning.com.

About CompassLearning

CompassLearning is a leading provider of K-12 education software that empowers educators to teach and students to learn more effectively. With more than 35 years of experience in the field of research-based education software, CompassLearning delivers standards-aligned K-12 curriculum, assessment and comprehensive data reporting that enables educators, parents and students to work together to reduce the stress of high-stakes testing. Since its founding, CompassLearning has been an industry leader in applying teaching and learning theory and research to the design of its products to ensure validity, reliability and effectiveness in promoting student achievement. Underscoring the company's leadership is the alliance it established in 2005 with the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a nonprofit provider of research-based assessment and analytical tools, offering the most advanced assessment, curriculum, data management systems and related products in the education arena. CompassLearning serves more than 11 million students in more than 20,000 schools nationwide.

Source: Business Wire

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