Pearson's MathXL® for School Takes Top Honors in 2009 Awards of Excellence From "Tech & Learning" Magazine

Web-based Math Tutorial Program Increases Student Success Rates With Personalized Instruction and Interactive Learning Activities

Boston, MA (PRWEB) December 3, 2009

Pearson's MathXL® for School, a powerful Web-based program that offers homework, tutorial and assessment tools for math, took top honors in the 2009 Awards of Excellence from Tech & Learning magazine. This award program, now in its 27th year, recognizes both the "best of the best" and creative new offerings that help educators in the business of teaching, training and managing with technology.

This year a panel of more than 30 educators from around the country screened the products and picked the Awards of Excellence winners in conjunction with the Tech & Learning editorial team. Evaluation criteria include quality and effectiveness, ease of use, creative use of technology and suitability for use in an educational environment.

The judges in this year's competition praised MathXL for School for its interactive media, activities and quizzes that teachers can assign to students.

MathXL for School has a proven track record of increasing student success rates at both online and brick-and-mortar schools around the country. For Beth Gaunce, instructional supervisor at Kentucky Virtual High School, the numbers illustrate student success. "We are using MathXL for our Algebra II course, and for the first time experienced a 100 percent success rate--all students passed," she said. "A behind-the-scenes look at one student who pre-tested on an Algebra II topic at 37 percent scored in the high 80s after spending only 6 hours in MathXL."

At Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School in Wisconsin, teachers are using MathXL for School to differentiate instruction. Carol B. Stein, the school's literacy coach, said, "MathXL for School is a great tool for students at all levels. Its instantaneous feedback and multiple embedded resources serve to hold students' attention while keeping them on task."

She continued, "I have a learning-disabled student in one of my Algebra 1 classes who is currently working on a 4th-grade level. Generally, his first reaction to any math work is 'I can't do it.' However, the opposite was true when he tried MathXL for School. After just a few problems, he was completely into it--so much so that he wouldn't leave for lunch until he finished all the assigned problems."

"MathXL for School is a prime example of the way that technology can transform learning for students by engaging them in interactive learning activities as well as personalizing instruction," said Mike Evans, Pearson's Senior Vice President and General Manager, K-12 Mathematics. "It is an honor to have our online college preparatory math program selected by educators for the Tech & Learning Award of Excellence."

MathXL for School is correlated to more than 300 of Pearson's secondary and higher education textbooks at the chapter, section and objective levels but is flexible enough to be used with any high school program,. Teachers easily create and manage online homework assignments, quizzes and tests that are automatically graded. Assignments can be customized to focus on specific skills, making it a helpful tool for struggling students. After taking a pre-test, each student receives a personalized study plan that focuses on his or her strengths and weaknesses.

For more information about MathXL for School or to get a free trial, go to http://www.mathxlforschool.com.

About Tech & Learning:
For nearly 30 years, Tech & Learning has been -- and continues to be -- the leading resource for K-12 leaders. Its publications, Web sites and events provide factual and evaluative information on trends, products, and strategies to educators who purchase technology products in their districts and schools. Tech & Learning, published by NewBay Media LLC, delivers the highest quality content and essential resources to manage, train, and teach technology. For more information, visit http://www.TechLearning.com

About Pearson:
Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for Pre-K through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to http://www.pearson.com.

Contact:
kate.miller (at) pearson.com
800-745-8489

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