Florida Commissioner of Education Approves Fast ForWord to Reading Series for Adoption
Scientifically-proven Fast ForWord educational software approved as K-12 Supplemental Intervention Reading Program for Florida schools
3/10/08
Media Contact:Jessica Lindl
Vice President of Marketing
Scientific Learning Corporation
(510) 625-6784
jlindl@scilearn.com
Investor Contact:
Jane A. Freeman
Executive Vice President and CFO
Scientific Learning Corporation
(510) 625-2281
investorrelations@scilearn.com
Oakland, Calif. -March 10, 2008 - Scientific Learning Corp. (NASDAQ:SCIL) today announced that the Florida Commissioner of Education has approved the Fast ForWord® to Reading Series, educational software that accelerates learning by developing the student brain to process more efficiently, as an approved K-12 Supplemental Intervention Reading Program for Florida schools and districts. The Fast ForWord products included in the adoption are Fast ForWord to Reading Prep and Fast ForWord to Reading 1-5.
"Despite the best efforts of teachers and literacy coaches, many reading intervention programs fail to make significant changes in helping struggling learners become successful readers. Fast ForWord software is the only solution based on over 30 years of scientific research into the way the brain learns," said Robert C. Bowen, CEO of Scientific Learning Corp. "The Fast ForWord to Reading Series develops and strengthens the essential cognitive skills to ensure all students become proficient readers. We're delighted it has been selected for adoption and look forward to providing Florida schools and districts with a proven reading intervention solution that accelerates the process of learning to read."
Aligned to Sunshine State Standards, the Fast ForWord family of products consists of scientifically proven intervention programs that apply neuroscience principles to build the fundamental cognitive skills required to read and learn. The products work by improving the brain's processing efficiency - how the brain functions to support learning and intellectual activity, including memory, attention, processing rate, and sequencing - with intensive exercises that adapt to each student's level.
At Rufus E. Payne Elementary, part of Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Fla., students have achieved significant reading gains using Fast ForWord products. The success of a third grader named Jameka exemplifies the progress students have made.
"Jameka has blossomed into a confident reader, conscientious thinker, independent writer and positive role model and leader to other students," said Teacher Mattie Riley Hayes, "We attribute these new and outstanding characteristics to the progress that Jameka has made in the Fast ForWord program,"
"I am confident that Jameka's improved assessment measures in the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) are directly related to her participation in the Fast ForWord program," said Principal Pearl Roziers. "Her reading fluency increased by 29 points since the beginning of the school year, which moved her from a strategic to benchmark reading level. The Fast ForWord program has allowed Jameka to leap forward in her ability to read, write and comprehend."
About Scientific Learning Corporation
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's Reading AssistantTM is the only reading solution to combine 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.scilearn.com and http://www.brainconnection.com, or call toll-free 888-452-7323.
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