New York, NY (August 8, 2005) -- Scholastic Education, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, and an established leader in educational technology with the nation’s premiere reading intervention program Read 180®, now offers ReadAbout™, a new supplemental reading achievement program designed to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills, and increase content-area knowledge, for all students in grades 3 through 6.  Based on a review by reading research experts, ReadAbout has been selected for inclusion in a national impact evaluation study sponsored by the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences.  The study will evaluate programs that enable students to apply research-based strategies toward improving reading comprehension skills in science and social studies content areas.  The field study will include 4 to 5 programs, which will be randomly assigned to schools across the country.  The multi-year evaluation will span 2 years, one of which will be a pilot test year, with an option for an additional third year of study.  
 
The Institute of Education Sciences awarded the contract for the study to Mathematica Policy Research and it’s partners, RMC Research Corporation, the RG Research Group, the University of Texas, and the University of Utah.  The study team of leading U.S. education research organizations, will design and conduct this independent impact study involving selected 5th grade Title 1 classrooms to measure the efficacy of whole class implementation of reading comprehension programs for expository text.  Only programs demonstrating strong potential for improving reading comprehension were selected for inclusion in the study, results of which will be reported in the fall of 2007. 
 
“Scholastic invests in extensive research, development and validation for all of its educational technology programs, and is dedicated to providing scientifically-proven educational products that meet the instructional needs of teachers and the students they serve,” said Margery Mayer, President, Scholastic Education.  “We are pleased that ReadAbout has been selected as an important technology program worthy of further study as the Department of Education seeks to identify the most effective ways to use instructional technology to drive student achievement.” 

ReadAbout builds upon the findings of several distinguished educational experts in the areas of vocabulary acquisition, reading comprehension strategy and motivational learning theory.  The program is informed by the vocabulary instruction and word learning strategies established by Dr. Kevin Feldman, Director of Reading and Early Intervention, Sonoma County office of Education, and Dr. Kate Kinsella, of the Department of Secondary Education, San Francisco State University.  ReadAbout also borrows from the nonfiction reading strategies developed by Dr. Jeffrey Wilhelm, Associate Professor at Boise State University, and the motivational learning theory of renowned teacher and author Henry Jenkins.  ReadAbout utilizes the same research-based motivational instruction model pioneered by Dr. Ted Hasselbring, creator of Read 180, and Professor of Special Education Technology at the University of Kentucky. 
 
ReadAbout uses motivating 100% nonfiction reading material and an adaptive program to help students build academic vocabulary and enhance comprehension skills.  ReadAbout’s high-interest reading choices, engaging video clips, corrective feedback, personalized instruction, and unique digital reward system keeps students fully engaged, helping them to develop the skills they need to become effective readers.  ReadAbout uses state-of-the art, adaptive software to provide continuous assessment, and differentiated reading instruction for every child, whether they require intervention, instruction or enrichment. ReadAbout incorporates:

· Selections of leveled non-fiction texts in the areas of science, social studies and contemporary issues allow students to select personally relevant reading material.
· Intelligent software (including support for ELL students) offers differentiated instruction for all students in mixed-ability classrooms.
· Increasingly challenging comprehension and vocabulary questions, in addition to interactive activities such as quizzing, sorting, and word games allow students to experience success early on, and remain challenged and motivated throughout.
· Self-managed software enables students to work independently with minimal supervision.
· State-of-the-art assessment and reporting tools provide real-time progress reports at classroom, school or district-wide levels, and by AYP and other custom groupings. 
· Data-driven instruction provides helpful student diagnostic information, and links to lesson plans, program passages and graphic organizers, which correlate to State Standards.
 
For more information about Scholastic’s ReadAbout, please visit www.scholastic.com/readabout
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

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