Scientific Learning’s Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant Named Recommended Resources by Georgia Department of Education
11/18/09
Media Contact:
Jessica Lindl
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Product Management
Scientific Learning Corporation
(510) 625-6784
jlindl@scilearn.com
Investor Contact:
Bob Feller
Chief Financial Officer
Scientific Learning Corporation
(510) 625-2281
investorrelations@scilearn.com
Oakland, Calif. - Nov. 18, 2009 - Scientific Learning Corp. (NASDAQ:SCIL) today announced that the Georgia Department of Education has added software from the Fast ForWord® and Reading AssistantTM family of products to the state's 2009 Recommended List of Learning Resources in the 6-12 English Language Arts, K-12 English for Speakers of Other Languages, and K-8 Special Education categories. In 2008, the Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant programs were named to the state's Recommended List for K-8 English Language Arts/Reading categories.
Designed to accelerate learning by developing the student brain to process more efficiently, the Fast ForWord educational software consists of scientifically proven, intervention programs that apply neuroscience principles to build the fundamental cognitive skills required to read and learn. The strengthening of these skills results in a wide range of improved critical language and reading abilities, such as phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, decoding, working memory, syntax and grammar. Nearly 4,000 learners in Georgia schools have used Fast ForWord products.
"Since last year's elementary level adoption, schools across the state have seen firsthand the positive effects Fast ForWord has on strengthening students' foundational skills. Districts such as Bulloch, Houston, Richmond, and Fulton County Schools have all demonstrated that, by using Fast ForWord, their elementary students benefit more fully from existing classroom instruction and perform better on high stakes assessments," said Andy Myers, president and CEO of Scientific Learning. "With the 2009 adoption, schools can now use the Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant software to help an even broader audience of students, including English Speakers of Other Languages and those in the secondary grades."
One example of success is Bulloch County Schools in Statesboro, Ga., where students made significant reading achievement gains after using Fast ForWord products. During the 2007-2008 school year, a group of 379 elementary and middle school students participated in a study using the Fast ForWord products. Student reading ability was evaluated with the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) before and after Fast ForWord participation. Students who completed at least one Fast ForWord product and had better than 90 percent attendance improved an average of 7.0 points on the English/Language Arts subtests.
"It was almost magical how certain students responded to the Fast ForWord interventions. It really addresses the basics of learning and the processing skills that help students get on track and stay on track," said Dr. Lewis Holloway, superintendent of Bulloch County Schools. "It's a great thing that Georgia has added these products to the recommended list. For districts looking for meaningful ways to spend their stimulus funds, this is a great solution. Fast ForWord boosts student achievement in a lasting fashion."
About Scientific Learning Corp.
Scientific Learning creates educational software that accelerates learning by improving the processing efficiency of the brain. Based on more than 30 years of neuroscience and cognitive research, the Fast ForWord® family of products provides struggling readers with computer-delivered exercises that build the cognitive skills required to read and learn effectively. Scientific Learning Reading AssistantTM combines advanced speech recognition technology with scientifically-based courseware to help students strengthen fluency, vocabulary and comprehension to become proficient, life-long readers. The efficacy of the products has been established by more than 550 research studies and publications. For more information, visit http://www.scientificlearning.com/ or call toll-free 888-358-0212.
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