Michigan Department Of Education Approves Lightspan Assessment Programs
Lightspan recently announced the Michigan Department of Education has approved their online assessment programs for use in approximately 4,000 K-5 schools.
The initiative addresses the increased attention given to academic assessment and accountability, not only at the state level, but also at the federal level. School districts across the country are turning to Lightspan’s suite of products to help them meet increasing state and federal demands for assessment, accountability, and increased student achievement.
- Lightspan Achieve Now interactive educational software increases family involvement in
children’s learning, and is proven to increase academic achievement in over 600 independent
studies.
- The Lightspan Network is an online resource providing teachers with lesson plans, learning
activities, and curriculum resources that help teachers align instruction to state standards.
- eduTest.com’s online assessment system helps bridge the gap between standards-based education
reform by providing online student assessments correlated to state standards.
“Assessment is one of the most important elements in schools as it helps guide instruction in the classroom and identify areas of strength and need,” stated John Kernan, CEO of Lightspan, Inc. “eduTest.com has already experienced remarkable success in schools across the country and we’re looking forward to providing Michigan’s students with the tools they need to succeed.” Kernan noted that Lightspan’s products align to all key federal education reform initiatives, offering school districts a complete solution to assess, align, instruct, and evaluate, as a complete achievement and accountability system.
As part of recent requirements set by the Michigan legislature, schools and districts will now be accountable for ensuring that all students master basic literacy and mathematics skills as defined in the Michigan Curriculum Framework. The new legislation also requires districts to administer assessments and provide a summer school opportunity in order to receive funds under the State School Aid Act. Using Lightspan’s online assessment system, eduTest.com, schools in Michigan can create online benchmarking to measure student progress against the Michigan Curriculum Frameworks.
“This will give teachers the ability to align assessments to specific standards, benchmarks and lesson plans, which should prove very useful to teachers,” according to Paul Bielawski, Michigan’s Supervisor for School Restructuring and Accountability.
Michigan teachers can now use the new online system to generate customized assessments for a variety of subjects, grades and standards. Teachers can also benefit from the real-time results that allow them to ensure success based on each child’s individual learning plan.
About Lightspan
Lightspan, Inc. provides curriculum-based educational software and Internet products and services used in schools and homes. Lightspan’s products align to all key federal education reform initiatives, offering school districts a complete solution to assess, align, instruct, and evaluate, as a complete achievement and accountability system. The Company’s technology, delivery systems, and content help increase student achievement, interest in learning, parental involvement in their children’s education, and productive interaction among teachers, parents, and students.
Lightspan’s products include Lightspan Achieve NowInc., an interactive curriculum program for K-8 students; The Lightspan Network> (TLN), a subscription-based service offering standards-based, online curriculum and resources for K-8 classrooms; curriculum programs for college students offered through Academic Systems Corporation, Lightspan’s higher-education group; Academic.com, a Web-based product offering a complete eLearning solution for online general education courses across many disciplines; Internet-based educational testing and assessment products offered through eduTest.com(TM); and an integrated family of pre-K-12 Internet products and services offered through Lightspan’s Web site, Lightspan.com.
“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward looking statements, including statements related to future financial performance and business trends, that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market areas; changes in policies by regulatory agencies and educational organizations; the volatility of the Company’s expenses and operating results; market acceptance of the Company’s curriculum based software and Internet products; management of rapid growth; risks associated with expanding the Company’s Internet business; changes in funding for public schools; technological advances and risks related thereto and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements. These risks could cause the Company’s actual results for 2002 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements by, or on behalf of, the Company.
Contact Information:
Bob Scheid
Lightspan
866-251- 6694
