Schools See Increase

Schools See Increase in Test Performance

Many schools report an increase in tests scores after using Study Island. The increases are based on test scores before using the program and after using the program. A few results are as follows:

* Northport K-8 in St. Lucie County School Districts in Florida reports an increase in math -- 2006 47% to 2007 52% and in reading 2006 52% to 2007 57%.

* Manchester Middle School in Lakehurst, New Jersey shows an increase in math in grade six in 2005-06 73% to 2006-07 87%, grade seven in 2005-06 69% to 2006-07 74%, and grade eight seven in 2005-06 65% to 2006-07 78%.

* Explorer Middle School of Technology, Paradise Valley Unified School District in Arizona reports four years of eighth grade data. In math the eighth graders performed as follows: 2004 36%, 2005 83%, 2006 80% and 2007 88%. In reading, the eighth graders performed as follows: 2004 69%, 2005 80%, 2006 82% and 2007 89%.

There is no “silver bullet” to increase test scores. Usually, it is a combination of good teaching practices and programs like Study Island to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom. However, Study Island does have the research to show that it has helped improve many schools' test scores.

Read more at Suite101: Study Island Helps Improve Test Scores: Computerized, Data-driven Web-based Program Connects to Standards

Challenge Charter School subscribes to a computer based instructional program called Study Island. Study Island offers lessons, assessments, and games that help second through sixth graders develop skills in math, reading, writing and science.

Study Island allows students to:Students on the computer

* Practice skills and concepts they are learning in class.

* Strengthen skills in areas where they need additional help and reinforcement.

* Challenge themselves with higher level topics and concepts.

* Prepare for state standardized tests such as AIMS and TerraNova.

One of the benefits of Study Island is that it is web based. That means Study Island can be used not only from school, but from anywhere there is access to the Internet.

Logging On: (replace the information below with your student's information)

User Name: firstname.lastname@ccs

Password: your home address zip code (example: 85308)

Note: It is possible for students to change their password. The default password is your zip code.

To help you use Study Island at home, we will be including suggested topics in the second through sixth grade weekly newsletters. These topics are selected by the teachers at your student’s grade so the skills being practiced correspond with what they are working on in class. Please remember that your student is not limited to the suggested topics and should feel free to explore all the lessons offered on Study Island.

We hope you are as excited about Study Island as we are. We look forward to partnering with you to use Study Island to help your student reach their full academic potential.

Happy learning!

Web-based system for assessing students’ progress according to state standards. The service automatically addresses students’ deficiencies, provides a variety of reports, and works with several student-response systems without requiring that additional software be installed. Students are given electronic assignments to complete to state standards; if they are proficient enough, they can move on to another standard. Students who do not show proficiency receive a remediation assignment; if they do not pass it, they are given a second, easier assignment. Along the way, the system generates reports on students’ progress that can be emailed to teachers and parents.

PROS: Study Island is a very good product and easy to use and has excellent reporting capabilities. The fact that there is no additional software to install is a bonus.

CONS: Since the system can be accessed outside of school, a student could get help from a parent or a peer and an incorrect report on the student’s proficiency could be generated. To use the system effectively in the classroom, schools must ensure that there are enough computers for all students and that students who need remediation are given enough time to receive it within the normal school day.

OVERALL EVALUATION: Study Island is an excellent way to ensure that students work to state-standard proficiency.

Retail price: Varies according to product selected and school size; see Web site for further details.

Study Island is an internet resource for students in grades 3, 4 and 5. Students and families now have access both in school and at home to enhance their reading, writing, math, problem solving skills and science through a format aligned to NJASK. Osbornville is excited about the potential benefits this program can afford our students. We encourage you to go online and explore Study Island!

www.studyisland.com

*Please read the following information to see how to use the program at home.

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Our school now has access to a great resource for preparing our kids for the state standardized tests. We have purchased a building license for a web based program called Study Island, which is accessible to students from school or home. If you have Internet access, your child can access Study Island from home as well as school to prepare for the state assessments.

The information below provides an overview of the program. We are excited about the potential benefits this program can bring to our students, and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity by using Study Island. Please feel free to contact Study Island at 800-419-3191 or

support@studyisland.com if you have any questions.

Using Study Island from Home

Since the Study Island state assessment program is completely web-based, students can access it from any computer with an Internet connection and a standard web browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape). Results from students study sessions are recorded and made available to the teachers. This includes results from sessions completed at home.

The program is divided into sections based on subject (math, reading, etc.). Each section is made up of 10 to 25 topics.

Each topic contains about 20 to 25 questions with explanations. All topics are accompanied by a lesson, which includes some brief information about the material covered by the questions in the topics. It is helpful to view the lesson before answering the questions in the topic.

Follow the instructions below, in order to use the program:

1. Go to

2. Enter your username and password at the upper-left of the screen, and click “Login”.

*Note: Students will receive a username and password from their teacher at school.

3. Click on the section tab (math, reading, etc.) that you wish to work on.

4. Click the "Pretest" in order to begin the pretest for the section. You must complete 10 pretest questions before moving on to the topic in the section.

5. Once you complete the "Pretest,” you may work through the remainder of the topics in any order you like. You must "pass" all topics before taking the "Post Test".

6. To pass a topic, you must satisfy the topic’s passing requirements which are based a minimum number of questions answered (usually 10) and a minimum percentage correct (around 70%). A blue ribbon icon is displayed next to all passed topics.

7. Once you have passed all the topics in the section, you have to pass the "Post Test" for the section before the section is complete. Ignore this step if the section has no "Post Test".

8. When you pass all topics in all sections, you have completed the program and will be well prepared to take the state test.