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California School District Adopts Essay Building Platform

The Perris Union School District in Riverside County, CA, is partnering with Story2, a New York-based ed tech company, to help students write authentic college admission essays.

Story2’s Essay Builder Plus platform gives administrators, teachers and counselors a dashboard to track and monitor student progress. This allows them to intervene where necessary. The platform also gives students the ability to plan and organize admission, scholarship and honors program essays through its College Essay Planner. With Essay Builder Plus, students can learn how to complete eight specific types of essay questions, as well as research admission requirements and deadlines.

In 2015, 90 percent of Story2 students reported admission to one or more of their top three college choices, according to Story2. Furthermore, 83 percent received scholarships.

Currently, one school, Perris High School, is adopting the program, a spokesman said. More than 2,100 students and 40 faculty members have access to Essay Builder Plus. Next year, four schools are expected to be added, the spokesman said.

About the Author

Richard Chang is associate editor of THE Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].

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