Children’s Progress Begins Pilot Testing for New SBIR Grant Research Project

Nov. 30, 2010 - PRLog -- Children’s Progress, an award-winning educational software company specializing in Pre-K - 3 computer-based assessment, has begun initial field-testing of new content as part of a Phase I SBIR Grant. The six-month project focuses on students’ individual learning profiles and is designed to enhance the connection between assessment and instruction.  Like other Children’s Progress products, this tool generates online reports with individualized educational recommendations based on students’ responses to a variety of tasks.

In the course of this study, Children’s Progress is leveraging the MIT-patented computer-adaptive technology behind its flagship product to measure young children’s cognitive development and unique learning styles.

Supported by a Phase I SBIR grant from the Institute of Education Sciences at the US Department of Education, the team of early childhood experts and psychologists is exploring innovative ways to help differentiate early childhood instruction. This includes designing and validating questions that assess children’s cognitive development and relative strengths.

Additionally, the team is designing associated classroom activities that teach grade-level math and literacy content in ways that match students’ current cognitive development and unique strengths.

Pilot testing of the new assessment questions has been taking place since November 2010 in New York City.  Students in pre-kindergarten through third grade enrolled in both general education and gifted and talented elementary schools are participating.

Next, the team plans to develop and field test computer-based instructional modules that adapt in order to challenge and support learners with unique learning profiles.  This innovative technology will infuse creative and critical thinking skills into early childhood curriculum to lay the foundation for future success.

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About Children’s Progress
Children’s Progress (www.childrensprogress.com) is an award-winning educational technology company based in New York City. It specializes in the development of engaging computer-adaptive programs for young children that help educators pinpoint how to best challenge and support each child. The company grew out of decades of research at Columbia University and patented its products in collaboration with MIT. Children’s Progress products have been used nationwide.