New High School Literature Resources

It’s spring assessment time! I know -- those words make all of our skin crawl a bit, and wading through the quagmire of assessment tools can be tricky since it’s hardly one size fit all. But, if you’re shopping for a resource that helps kids get the classics, you might check out Pearson’s Perspective, a remediation tool that’s been around for a while and has added high school Literature Teachers Guides from its imprints like the Penguin Group. The product also now includes the APerspective blog, which has news, hints and tips on using Perspective.
Bottom line: The new Literature Teachers Guides introduce students to work from classics like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare within the Perspective framework, which includes built-in assessment tools.

Council of Administrators of Special Education Re-Endorses Spectrum K12 School Solutions’ Encore Special Education Software Product

Many products are touted as “special education” thanks to added bells or whistles that make the products eligible for special ed funding. To help schools recognize those special needs products that stand out from the pack, The Council of Administrators of Special Education offers official endorsements. One recent recipient is Spectrum K12’s Encore Special Education product. Originally endorsed in 2005, CASE just re-endorsed the product, making it the first product to be re-endorsed by CASE.
Bottom Line: “With Encore, Spectrum K12 sets a new benchmark in special education IEP software,” said Luann Purcell, Ed.D., CASE executive director. Encore helps districts eliminate compliance issues, reduce paperwork, and support individual education program goals.

New Special Education/IEP Writer from Sapphire [NSBA NEWS, Orlando]

Special education has been described as “the monster in the closet,” and it’s certainly an issue most administrators need to address. K12 Systems, a provider of administrative software solutions, now offers the Sapphire Special Education Software/IEP Writer. This web-based special education software is specifically designed for special education programs. The product includes the following modules: referral, eligibility, IEP processing, 504 documentation, caseload management, and Medicaid reimbursement, with multiple levels of security within each application.
Bottom Line: The Sapphire Special Education Software/IEP Writer gives educators tools to manage IEPs and the overall special education process. As IEP data is entered, compliance requirements are automatically verified to help ensure paperwork is completed accurately and on time.

New Math Software Adds Flexible Implementation and Assessment Tools

We know it’s all about the math and reading scores, so Carnegie responds with their next generation Cognitive Tutor software that now works with their other programs like Bridge to Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Integrated Math. The new program offers tools like: flexible sequencing that allow administrators to build a custom curriculum; onscreen interactive examples that show students step-by-step instruction of math examples; and Automated Assessment to deliver pre- and post-tests that automatically tie to custom-sequenced curricula. Administrators can also now monitor and analyze progress of the program at multiple levels including class, building, and district. Reports can filter by curriculum and date range, and may be exported to Adobe PDF and Microsoft Excel for distribution.

Leapfrog Blends Fly and Leappad in New Handheld Tool

The new Tag School Reader from Leapfrog debuted at FETC, and it is a very cool little device. Kids log into this pen-like device and simply scan the tip over text in a series of Tag Readers to hear the words read aloud. The Tag Reader library will include popular storybooks, kids’ classics, and transition readers, including high-interest titles like Miss Spider’s Tea Party, Cars, Spongebob, and I Spy. Thanks to a high-tech pattern printing using Composer software, the pen automatically recognizes each new Tag title simply by scanning the pages. Another perk: all reading activity is automatically logged into a management system that evaluates things like time on task and which words students scanned repeatedly. Pricing is expected to be about $500 for a center pack (includes 8 readers and software); $1300 for classroom kit (includes 24 readers and software). A consumer version will release this spring; the education version of Tag starts shipping in August.

CTB/McGraw-Hill Releases White Paper Showing Benefits of Acuity Assessments

Schools are all about the research, so CTB/McGraw-Hill released a white paper that highlights the benefits of technology-enhanced formative and interim assessments, including CTB/McGraw-Hill’s Acuity suite of assessments, in supporting student achievement. “Promoting Student Achievement Using Research-Based Assessment with Formative Benefits,” delves into independent research studies to show that technology-enhanced formative assessment can be an effective solution to accelerate student performance and meet achievement goals -- including low-performing students.

Leapfrog School Launches New Online Version of Link to Lessons [FETC HIGHLIGHT]

Link to Lessons, Leapfrog’s database of preK-2 lessons, is now online. Teachers can find more than 6000 skill-based, standards-aligned activities for individualized instruction and tracking student progress. This is the news I can tell you about. There is a much bigger announcement – but I’m sworn to secrecy until Monday, so check back then!

Qwizdom Announces Free Digital Learning Network [FETC HIGHLIGHT]

Qwizdom, known best for the student response systems, has added a new online content sharing digital learning network – and it’s FREE. Qwizdom Connect gives educators quick access to peer-created materials, along with reporting features, thousands of images and other media, games, and more. Teachers can quickly make their favorite lesson interactive, share it with their peers, and even make a quiz.

Compass Announces Odyssey High School Program [FETC HIGHLIGHT]

As schools begin to get more pressure to offer credit recovery and intervention programs at the high school level, Compass reponds by offering a new program to support secondary market. The high school Odyssey program integrates its management and assessment features into eight core subjects, ranging from Algebra to U.S. Government.

New Edition of Voyager Passport Reading Intervention Program [FETC HIGHLIGHT]

The latest release of Voyager Passport Reading Intervention Program -- the company's reading intervention program for K-5 students -- adds a reading technology component called Ticket to Read, a website  designed to increase reading speed, comprehension and vocabulary through a reward system that promotes reading practice.  Students read high-interest passages at increasing levels of difficulty and take passage quizzes to demonstrate they understood what they read -- all while earning points to use in customizing their personal clubhouse.

Combining Data with IEPs [FETC HIGHLIGHT]

Are you drowning under mountains of data, and not sure how to use these tools to improve student achievement? You’re hardly alone. Siboney Learning Group’s PracticePlanet is a new tool designed to make this connection by linking standards-based test results to individual learning plans. The latest release of this program integrates Orchard’s Assessment and Assignment Builder. Now administrators and teachers can use data from Orchard assessments, state tests, and activities to customize interventions to specific student needs.