Thursday, January 26, 2006
Online Courses From PLATO Learning
Each PLATO Course includes teacher support materials--a Teacher's Guide and Implementation Guide. The Teacher's Guide includes pacing charts, grading sheets, offline assessments, and a scope and sequence; the Implementation Guide helps schools plan for evaluations and access best practices in instructional strategies, coaching, and mentoring.
"Districts across the country are quickly adopting distance learning, virtual schools, and credit recovery programs as part of their high school reform efforts," said Mike Morache, PLATO Learning President and CEO. "PLATO Courses are rigorous and designed to be used by schools to offer their students alternative ways to complete academic and graduation requirements. By keeping these students within the school system, districts realize an added benefit--keeping the funds they lose when students drop out."
Major school districts such as Columbus Public Schools, Ohio; Memphis City Schools, Tenn.; and Aldine ISD, Tex., have reduced dropout rates and helped students recover credits through long-standing partnerships with PLATO Learning. In just one summer session, Memphis City Schools granted over 3,500 credits to students in grades 7-12 using PLATO(R) Instructional Solutions. Steve Oldham, program coordinator at Columbus Public Schools said, "The Yea! Program (using PLATO Instruction for Credit Recovery) was the most valuable thing I did in my entire education career. Without this program, 80 percent of our over-age students would have dropped out. With the program, 76 percent of those over-age students are on track to reach graduation."
About PLATO Learning, Inc.
PLATO Learning is a leading provider of computer-based and e-learning instruction for kindergarten through adult learners, offering curricula in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, and life and job skills. The company also offers innovative online assessment and accountability solutions and standards-based professional development services. With over 6,000 hours of objective-based, problem-solving courseware, plus assessment, alignment, and curriculum management tools, we create standards-based curricula that facilitate learning and school improvement.
PLATO Learning is a publicly held company traded as TUTR on the NASDAQ. PLATO Learning educational software, delivered via networks, CD-ROM, the Internet, and private intranets, is primarily marketed to K-12 schools and colleges. The Company also sells to job training programs, correctional institutions, military education programs, corporations, and individuals.
PLATO Learning is headquartered at 10801 Nesbitt Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437, 952.832.1000 or 800.869.2000. The Company has offices throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as international distributors in Puerto Rico, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. For more information, please visit http://www.plato.com.
PLATO(R) is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Michael Morache, 952-832-1000
or
Larry Betterley, 952-832-1000
or
Terri Reden, 952-832-1000