CONTACT:
Ben Weintraub (212-675-8567)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Merit Software Introduces Two New Reading Skills Programs: “Reading Comprehension Booster” And “Read And Respond Punch”
Designed for students in grades 3 to 5, “Reading Comprehension Booster” and “Read and Respond Punch” deliver essential skills in a user-friendly format

web addresses:
http://www.meritsoftware.com/software/read_respond_punch
http://www.meritsoftware.com/software/reading_comprehension_booster

NEW YORK, NY - Merit Software, a leader in children’s educational software for over fifteen years, is pleased to announce the newest editions to their awarding-winning suite of reading comprehension titles, “Reading Comprehension Booster” and “Read and Respond Punch.” Both provide the essential features and programs to help students, grades 3 to 5, increase and utilize their reading skills.

“Reading Comprehension Booster” uses a similar format to “Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Effective Reading,” Merit Software’s award-winning program for higher grades, but adapts it for younger students. It contains 120 reading passages and 1,320 questions. Emphasis is placed on thinking about word relationships and recognizing proper inferences, main ideas, and logical sequences of sentences.

“Reading Comprehension Booster” features six levels of increasing difficulty, with three main sections in each level: Tryout, where students can test their existing skills; Workout, where a tutor introduces each skill and students practice the skills by using a variety of vocabulary, reading comprehension, and word association activities; and Finals, where students are tested on new text passages. Special reward graphics plus a save and print option are included. The Teacher Program Manager allows teachers to evaluate each student’s progress and add comments to their individual program.

“Read and Respond Punch” combines reading comprehension and writing skills. It contains 15 topics and includes 1,050 help prompts to guide students through each step. There are three reading levels. Each level contains five reading passages, followed by multiple-choice questions testing the reader’s understanding of the passage. The program then guides the user in writing an answer to a question based on the passage. Learning vocabulary, comprehension, writing, organizing, revising, and proofreading skills are the essential ingredients to each level.

“Read and Respond Punch” encourages students by providing graphic rewards for completed work and gives them the ability to save and print their progress. The Teacher Management program allows teachers to evaluate each student’s progress and add comments to their individual program.

All Merit Software is designed to provide the maximum amount of instructional detail with the least amount of extraneous content. Students receive immediate feedback and progress at their own pace. All programs have a straightforward presentation while using the highest level of learning and “interactivity” technology allows. “Reading Comprehension Booster” and “Read and Respond Punch” are available Windows 98/Me/NT/XP and features a Home version for only $35.00. School versions start at $99.00. For more information go to www.meritsoftware.com. Merit also offers an attentive and professional support service.

"Reading Comprehension Booster” Facts:

• Part of Merit’s best-selling Reading Comprehension suite of educational software


• Designed for grades 3 to 5


• Contains 120 reading passages and 1,320 questions


• Features six levels of increasing difficulty. Each level has three sections: Tryout, Workout, and Finals


• Special “reward” graphics


• Packaged with the Teacher Manager Program


• Terrific price point for home use at 35.00


• Professional support service available

"Read and Respond Punch” Facts:

• Part of Merit’s best-selling Reading Comprehension suite of educational software


• Designed for grades 3 to 5


• Contains 15 reading and writing topics and 1,050 help prompts


• Teaches vocabulary, comprehension, writing, organizing, revising, proofreading skills


• Special “reward” graphics


• Packaged with the Teacher Manager Program


• Terrific price point for home use at $35.00


• Professional support service available

ABOUT MERIT SOFTWARE:

Since 1983, Merit Software (www.meritsoftware.com) has been producing educational software that addresses the core competencies that students require to succeed. The emphasis is on strengthening students' ability to read, analyze data and communicate their ideas.

Merit Software's programs are known throughout the industry for providing context-sensitive tutorials for students and convenient record management features to aid teachers, tutors and parents.

Visit www.meritsoftware.com to examine the company's library of educational applications currently being used in thousands of educational facilities worldwide.

Merit's educational software has been the subject of rigorous, independent, scientific-based research. These studies have concluded that Merit's software provides an effective supplement to everyday instruction. Research findings are available on www.meritsoftware.com/research.

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