PROVO, UT and EAGAN, MN – August 13, 2014 – Imagine Learning®, the developer of focused language and literacy software for students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, today announced a new alliance with Scantron®, a leading provider of K–12 interim/formative assessment solutions. The combination of Scantron’s leading online assessments with the Imagine Learning platform offers an independent, valid, and reliable growth measure to evaluate student learning during program use and across grade levels. This strategic relationship expands assessment resources available to teachers and administrators to now include a market leading, researched-based diagnostic tool that provides an unbiased data set to measure and track student learning—allowing educators to make better-informed decisions regarding individualized instruction.
“We’ve received requests from teachers and administrators who want to be able to validate the efficacy of Imagine Learning through an independent assessment. Because meeting customers’ needs is at the top of our priority list, we are happy to join with Scantron in addressing this request,” said Marc Liebman, Chief Academic Officer. The alliance with Scantron will allow Imagine Learning to provide an integrated solution of its software with Scantron’s computer adaptive Performance Series® Reading assessment, so the test will launch automatically on a school-selected schedule.
Because Performance Series is adaptive, each assessment is tailored to the proficiency level of the individual student, making it an ideal assessment solution for all student populations. The online test adjusts automatically to each student’s ability level, generating more difficult questions if the student is answering correctly and easier ones if the student is answering incorrectly.
“Scantron is committed to advancing language and literacy development through opportunities like this where our flexible, highly-individualized assessment solutions help pinpoint instructional needs of diverse student populations like English language learners, beginning students, and struggling readers,” said Jay Whitchurch, Executive Vice President for Scantron. “Our process for item development and detailed, skill level reporting aligned to Common Core, specific state, or a combination of standards is what makes us a leader in the diagnostic assessment space. We are delighted to ally with Imagine Learning and support school districts across the country.”
Because Imagine Learning works with a variety of educators—some in states that are using state standards, some who are transitioning to the Common Core Standards, and some who have adopted a blend of state and Common Core standards—Scantron’s flexibility in providing diagnostic assessments aligned to Common Core, state standards, or a blend of standards was a key requirement in forming the new partnership. Imagine Learning will utilize Performance Series Express version, which allows for shorter and more frequent assessments. Students complete the 15-35 minute computer adaptive test during Imagine Learning time, so as not to detract from core classroom instruction.
About Imagine Learning
Imagine Learning delivers award-winning language and literacy solutions to elementary students throughout the U.S. and around the world. Imagine Learning creates educational software that uses engaging, one-on-one instruction to meet students’ individual learning needs. The software is research-based, instructionally differentiated, and incredibly fun to use. Also available on iPad and Chromebook, Imagine Learning supports a dynamic blended learning experience. For more information, please visit www.imaginelearning.com.
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Media Contacts:
Marisa Grimmius, Imagine Learning; marisa.grimmius@imaginelearning.com; 801.717.4035
Donna Hinkelman, Scantron; donna.hinkelman@harlandclarke.com; 210.694.1034
ABOUT SCANTRON CORPORATION
Scantron (www.scantron.com) helps education, commercial and government organizations worldwide measure and improve effectiveness with paper and web-based assessment, data collection and analysis, and survey solutions that are built on leading products and comprehensive, value-added services. The company is best known for its pioneering and exceptional products and services that allow the rapid, accurate and reliable capture of student performance data. Scantron continues this standard with innovative software and survey solutions that leverage its expertise in world-class forms printing and scanner manufacturing. It serves 96 of the top 100 school districts in the United States, as well as 56 countries and 48 Ministries of Education throughout the world that have chosen Scantron’s scanning solutions for their national assessment programs. Scantron’s K-12 district wide assessment solution helps educators support improved student outcomes through a combination of computer-adaptive diagnostic testing and standards-based formative assessment. These solutions are supported by Scantron’s value-added services: forms, scanners, professional development, and project implementation. Scantron is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., which is comprised of companies focused on optimizing customer relationships through multiple channels. Its major business units − Scantron, Harland Clarke and Valassis − are recognized as leading providers of marketing services, transaction solutions, education services, and intelligent media delivery that create millions of customer touch points annually for their clients. For more information please visit www.harlandclarkeholdings.com.
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Media contact:
Donna Hinkelman
210.694.1034
Donna.Hinkelman@HarlandClarke.com