Pearson Updates Title I K-8 Reading and Math Program -- THE Journal

Smart Classroom Technologies

Pearson Updates Title I K-8 Reading and Math Program

By Dian Schaffhauser
08/20/15

Education company Pearson has updated its adaptive K-8 Title I-oriented reading and math software SuccessMaker. Version 8 includes content changes and additions as well as technology updates.

The newest release of this online supplementary program adds new reading content specifically to address K-2 phonological awareness and phonics and math content intended to better link practices with learning standards. There's also enhanced mapping between SuccessMaker and other Pearson math and literacy programs and alignment with WIDA standards for English language learners. The architecture of the program has been updated to reduce bandwidth requirements, eliminate the need for Java updates and provide faster login.

Teachers use the software first to give students an initial assessment to identify areas where they need extra help. From there, students can work independently. The program adapts its instruction based on student performance. Teachers can also intervene and modify the instructional path.

One district that has been a SuccessMaker customer for several years is Volusia County Schools in Florida. There the Title I technology department has piloted several programs for supplemental instruction, including both SuccessMaker and Curriculum Associates' i-Ready in grades 3-5.

The district advised its pilot schools to allow students to use the Pearson reading modules at least 20 minutes daily and the math modules at least 15 minutes three times a week. Enterprise Elementary, a pilot school with the highest documented usage, also found the best results. Overall, reported Principal Virginia Abernathy, the school saw a reduction in the number of students unable to pass the Florida Standards Assessment.

The software has also been used at Chesterfield Elementary School in New Jersey, Moore Elementary in Texas and Pasadena Unified School District in California, among others.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

E-Mail this page

Printable Format

Featured

Common Sense Media, OpenAI Partner on Free AI Training Course for Educators

Common Sense Media, the nonprofit provider of entertainment and technology recommendations for families, and AI research and development company OpenAI have teamed up to create a free AI training course.
IBM Introduces Granite 3.0 Family of Advanced AI Models

IBM unveiled its most advanced family of AI models to date, Granite 3.0, at its annual TechXchange event. The new models were developed to provide a combination of performance, flexibility, and autonomy that outperforms or matches similarly sized models from leading providers on a range of benchmarks.
Microsoft Copilot Gains Actions Feature, New Agents in Latest Update

Microsoft has introduced new and enhanced features for Microsoft 365 Copilot, including Copilot Actions, new AI "agents," and a Copilot Control System.
Cloud Security Alliance Report Offers Framework for Trustworthy AI

A report from the Cloud Security Alliance highlights the need for AI audits that extend beyond regulatory compliance, and advocates for a risk-based, comprehensive methodology designed to foster trust in rapidly evolving intelligent systems.