Vantage Learning Education Initiative Announces More Than $650,000 in Grants to School Districts

Katie Nicolai                                                    John Zoccola

Gregory FCA                                                   Public Relations Manager

27 West Athens Avenue                                   Vantage Learning

Ardmore, Pa. 19003                                        267-756-1108

Main: 610-228-2128                                        JZoccola@vantage.com

Mobile:610-731-1045                                     

KatieN@GregoryFCA.com                            

 

Ewing, N.J.—August 4, 2009—Vantage Learning, a pioneer in providing educational software tools for K -12 school districts, today announced the launch of the Vantage Learning Keystone Partner Program an undertaking of the Vantage Learning Education Initiative. Phase one of this program will provide more than $650,000 in grants, endowments, and subsidies to districts throughout the country for much needed MY Access! installation and professional development. Given the current economy and budget restrictions many districts are experiencing, the program offers hope in addressing student writing proficiency at a time when scarce dollars have severely impacted and hampered purchasing power even for proven and effective classroom technologies.

“As a company, Vantage Learning recognizes the importance of integrating technology into classroom curricula. At the same time, we also understand the substantial difficulties and obstacles faced by schools to secure approved funding for successful teaching and learning tools,” says Robert Patrylak, President of Vantage Learning. “We are happy and committed to give back to these 10 districts, and others that wish to apply, to further help each reap the benefits that MY Access! technology brings to the classroom in boosting writing proficiency and proven results on state tests.”

            The program will kick off by distributing funding to 10 school districts throughout the nation including: Martin County School District, Fla.; Denver Public Schools, Colo.; Adams 12 Five-Star Schools, Colo.; Las Vegas Diocese, Nev.; Cascade Middle School, Ore.; Apopka High School, Fla; Volusia County School District, Fla; Goshen School District, NY; Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical School District, Mass; and Bossier Parrish, La.  Martin County will be the first district to receive nearly $100,000 in funding this August.

            MY Access! is an online writing program and instructional teaching tool that rapidly improves student writing proficiency by motivating students to write more frequently and continually revise their work. With MY Access! students write essays, submit them via the Internet, and receive immediate and meaningful holistic and trait scores and individualized prescriptive feedback. Teachers can access student writing portfolios online to monitor progress, provide additional feedback, and tailor instruction to address the specific needs of their students. MY Access! provides teachers with a solution that encourages students to write, and gives teachers more time to plan and deliver instruction that is both data driven and differentiated.

            “We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Vantage Learning, and are thrilled to use this funding to further incorporate MY Access! into our classrooms,” says Pat Schmoyer, Principal of South Fork High School, of Martin County School District. “I’ve seen students’ writing proficiency scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test writing assessment dramatically increase after incorporating MY Access! into the classroom, making our district No. 1 in Florida on the writing portion of the exam. “With MY Access!, our students are well on their way to becoming proficient and responsible writers and critical thinkers!”

The Vantage Learning Keystone Partner Program was created to directly aid districts in funding educational technology that is proven to improve students’ writing. Vantage plans to begin distributing awards by mid-August, in order for districts to have access to the funds for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year, and will continue to consider and provide funding as additional districts apply. The Keystone Partner Program seeks to identify and benefit school districts that are committed to literacy, using writing as a means to drive student achievement across the learning curriculum using MY Access! and other Vantage Learning teaching tools and technologies to invigorate assessment solutions.

Districts throughout the United States are encouraged to apply. Vantage Learning Education Initiative awards are competitive and offered on an as-available basis. The company will carefully consider meritorious applications received. Vantage Learning retains sole discretion with respect to application review, selection criteria, and subsequent award, if any. For more information on this program or to apply, kindly contact Fred Bentsen at FBentsen@Vantage.com or 267-756-1107.

 

A pioneer providing Software as a Service (SaaS), Vantage Learning is recognized as the leader in cost-effective online assessment and instructional programs for K-12 and higher education. Leveraging technology such as artificial intelligence, natural language understanding, and Web-based learning objects, Vantage provides educators with high-quality tools and resources that motivate students to learn and that create meaningful interaction between students, parents and teachers.

Acknowledged by industry leaders as the gold standard for scoring quality, consistency, reliability, and scalability of automated essay scoring using the patented IntelliMetric® engine, Vantage Learning has received accolades ranging from the prestigious CODIE Award for best instructional technology to recognition by Eduventures as one of the eight most innovative educational technology companies.