Trusted Academic Vocabulary Instruction Program Aligns to Common Core and State Standards

ORLANDO – Jan. 24, 2012 – EPS, School Specialty’s Literacy and Intervention division, today announced that its bestselling Wordly Wise 3000® will be available online. Wordly Wise 3000 Online will provide all students with the same direct academic vocabulary instruction as the print edition, in a dynamic and interactive online format. Full audio support and immediate feedback make the program ideal for struggling readers and English language learners. Available in May for grades 4-8, Wordly Wise 3000 Online will launch additional grade levels throughout 2012.

The online format features an appealing student interface that increases motivation for today’s tech-savvy learner. A variety of types of engaging word interactions with automatic feedback, and a full complement of reviews, will enhance retention. Teachers will now be able to access a comprehensive and time-saving reporting feature that puts progress monitoring at their fingertips. Educators will also be able to access online teaching resources, including a Teachers Guide, to augment instruction.

Wordly Wise 3000 Online presents the same robust vocabulary curriculum as the popular print program. The academic vocabulary taught improves reading comprehension as students learn the words they need for success in grade-level literature, content-area texts and on standardized tests, such as state assessments and the PSAT, SAT and ACT. The Wordly Wise 3000 curriculum is closely aligned with the Common Core State Standards and other individual state standards, as well as the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association standards.

“Vocabulary development is at the heart of literacy achievement. For more than 15 years, teachers have turned to Wordly Wise 3000 to give their students the vocabulary and comprehension skills that are requisites for academic success,” said Steven Korte, President, Accelerated Learning Group of School Specialty. “With full audio support, an engaging and motivational learning environment and easy-to-use online progress monitoring, Wordly Wise 3000 Online offers a new and powerful tool for ensuring that all students develop a robust foundation in vocabulary.”

Students bookend each Wordly Wise 3000 Online lesson with a pre- and post-test to assess gains. They learn new words with virtual word cards, complete a series of engaging activities using the words and word parts in context, read nonfiction passages and do review puzzles. The variety of formats and art promote engagement to ensure and retain mastery.

Wordly Wise 3000 Online’s powerful management system provides educators with a convenient dashboard for ease in managing assignments and reports. Student data are captured from pre-test through post-test and throughout the entire program, and are displayed in a variety of easy-to-use reports that facilitate interpretation, progress monitoring and differentiation of instruction. Reports are available for teachers and school administrators, showing individual student gains as well as class-level progress.

For more information, visit http://eps.schoolspecialty.com/WW3000online.

About School Specialty®
School Specialty is a leading education company that provides innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to help educators engage and inspire students of all ages and abilities to learn. The company designs, develops and provides preK-12 educators with the latest and very best curriculum, supplemental learning resources and school supplies. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help educators, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential – www.schoolspecialty.com. EPS, School Specialty’s Literacy and Intervention division, delivers comprehensive reading, math and Response to Intervention (RTI) solutions to help K-12 schools close the achievement gap and make a measurable difference in the outcomes for 30 million struggling students who fall below proficiency benchmarks. Trusted brands from EPS include Academy of READING®, Academy of MATH®, S.P.I.R.E.®, MCI, Wordly Wise 3000® and Explode The Code®. For more information about EPS (School Specialty Literacy and Intervention), visit eps.schoolspecialty.com or www.schoolspecialty.com.