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Texas Edition of Classworks from Curriculum Advantage Sets National Standard

Posted on: Wednesday, 26 November 2003, 06:00 CST

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 2003--Curriculum Advantage, Inc. announced today that a new import utility for the Texas-specific edition of Classworks -- a network-based system of K-12 reading and mathematics curriculum and learning tools that are correlated to Texas learning standards -- has been so well received by Texas teachers that the model is being replicated in other states. The Texas import utility quickly imports TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) data directly into the Classworks system, where the information is used to prescribe individualized learning paths for struggling students.

"When we created the Texas-specific edition of Classworks with TAKS import, teachers were so pleased that we began an aggressive push to replicate the model for other states," said Mr. Lindsey Cook, president of Curriculum Advantage. "Our plan is to build state-specific editions of Classworks for more states, because with each activity correlated to state standards and with the ability to import scores from high stakes tests, we give teachers a truly powerful resource for making data-driven decisions about remediation."

Using the Texas model, Curriculum Advantage has replicated this development partnership in 11 states. State-specific editions with an import utility have been released for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and for the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). A Georgia-specific edition with import utility for Georgia's Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) was released November 20, 2003.

The Texas-specific edition of Classworks (www.curriculumadvantage.com) has already saved teachers many hours of time searching for lessons and activities to help students improve their scores on the state's standardized tests. The 2003-released edition imports TAKS scores with one simple step, and immediately prescribes an individualized list of activities for each student from Classworks' vast library of 8,600 learning activities. After students complete the assigned activities, Classworks can then retest the students and give reports to the teacher to evaluate progress and prescribe additional work if necessary.

"Classworks is unique because it is the only system of its kind that can directly import scores from tests that students have already taken as the basis for assigning remediation activities," said Johnny Veselka, executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators. "We know that there are tremendous pressures in the classroom for students to perform well on standardized tests. The Texas-specific edition of Classworks is an easy-to-use, effective teaching resource that maximizes time-on-task with standard-specific activities that will help students do better on the TAKS."

For teachers who are under increasing pressure to teach students with a standards-based curriculum ensuring proficiency on state-mandated tests, Classworks is a welcome tool that keeps learning and teaching fun and effective. It also helps schools capitalize on technology investments and provides differentiated learning, without demanding extra time to implement in the classroom. All of Classworks 8,600 learning activities and lessons are correlated with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills learning standards and National Education Standards.

Educational associations throughout the country continue to endorse Classworks. In September 2003, the Florida School Boards Association selected Classworks as one of the premier curriculum library and remediation tools of choice for the Florida elementary and middle schools. In November 2003 and in 1999, the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and the Illinois Association of School Administrators, respectively, selected Classworks as a remediation tool of choice for their states' schools. Since 1999, the Texas Association of School Administrators has also endorsed the Texas-specific edition of Classworks as a powerful, flexible teaching and learning tool.

About Curriculum Advantage

Curriculum Advantage, Inc. (www.curriculumadvantage.com), owned by Prime Entertainment, has offices in Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Wayne, Neb.; and Marietta, Ga. Curriculum Advantage's flagship product is Classworks, a network-based system of K-12 reading and mathematics curriculum and learning tools that comprise over 3,000 hours of curriculum. Classworks activities are correlated to national and state learning standards and state tests. They include prescriptive and summative assessment, remediation and reporting tools. Classworks is installed in 1,200 schools in the United States and worldwide. Other products from Curriculum Advantage include INET Classroom, a comprehensive library of web-based curriculum linked to state and national standards and Tableaux, a unique combination of presentation software and digital movie cameras for developing multi-media presentations.

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