Learning Force™ Academic Tutoring Program Now Serving 26 Rural Colorado School Districts

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar 31, 2009 -
EdisonLearning, the nation’s leading partner for school districts, is helping increase student achievement for Colorado students through its academic tutoring program – Learning Force. Colorado joins more than 56,500 public school children nationwide who are receiving academic services through EdisonLearning’s Extended Education programs.

In a new partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, EdisonLearning is delivering tutoring services to 1,400 students in 26 rural school districts who scored unsatisfactory or partially proficient on the state achievement test. Learning Force is a good fit for rural areas of Colorado that would otherwise be unable to offer this sort of specialized learning due to geographic barriers.

“Colorado has a specific goal: to close the achievement gap,” said EdisonLearning’s Chief Education Officer, Dr. Joseph Wise. “Learning Force is uniquely able to fulfill Colorado’s needs because its engaging, rigorous and easily-accessible lessons can be effectively delivered in a widespread area by local staff. Learning Force is aligned to Colorado standards, and is proven effective in boosting student achievement.”

Recent studies of students attending Learning Force programs show an average achievement increase of 21 percentage points in reading, and a 42 percentage point increase in math. In 70 Chicago public schools, data show that students in Grades 3-8 gained an average of 8 percent in reading and 14 percent in math during the 60-hour Learning Force program.

In addition to Colorado and Chicago, EdisonLearning’s Learning Force is also being used in the school districts of Baltimore and New York.  

“Our experience and developed knowledge base has shown us that what happens in the classroom during the school day isn’t enough for some students. To help these children catch up, and leap ahead, they need a little more than the regular class time can give them. Learning Force offers extra help that steps outside the boundaries of the traditional classroom,” Dr. Wise said.

Learning Force is focused on reading and math – considered the two most important foundational aspects of learning – delivered through two separate modules, Reading Force™ and Math Force™. Pre and post-assessments, in combination with the follow up that occurs throughout the program, support the Learning Force customized learning model and help teachers monitor student progress toward individual achievement goals.

“Not all tutoring is the same,” Dr. Wise said, “Truly effective tutoring needs to be more than just extra time added onto the school day. It must put an intense focus on foundational skills, complement the school’s regular curriculum, and most importantly engage students to get them excited about learning.”

EdisonLearning’s Extended Education Program also includes Summer Journey™, an academic summer program.  Now in its tenth year, Summer Journey is designed to help students get a jump on the next school year and have a great time with their friends. During the summer of 2008, 46,600 Missouri students participated.

Educators can learn more about EdisonLearning’s programs to help students, teachers and schools succeed and reach their goals by calling: 1-877-I-CAN-LEARN (1-877-422-6532), or by emailing: information@edisonlearning.com.