CONTACT:
Ben Weintraub (212-675-8567)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Parents Praise Merit Software Educational Programs
Children's reading, writing and math skills improve using interactive software

NEW YORK, NY. - March 22, 2004 - Merit Software, a leader in children’s educational software for over fifteen years, offers over 30 focused, hands-on instructional products for grades 3 through 12. Parents nationwide are praising Merit Software’s effectiveness as a first rate educational tool for their children. The following are testimonials from three grateful parents.

Parent: Karen Hoyt and her daughter

Karen Hoyt’s daughter recently suffered a brain hemorrhage, requiring surgery removing a piece of her brain the size of two golf balls. After the operation, her daughter’s reading skills declined, especially her comprehension, causing her to fail her high school exit exam. Mrs. Hoyt tells Merit Software. “I was surfing the net looking for something to help and was so blessed to run across your software. I ordered Reading/Vocabulary Curriculum and she worked on it for about two months. She retested and passed her exit exam. Her reading comprehension skills improved so much all her teachers were so impressed! I have given your information to numerous people and have raved about it. I just wanted to take a minute to commend you on your wonderful software. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work.”

Parent: Jenny Smillie and her 14-year-old daughter

Jenny Smillie’s daughter suffers from learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia, though she has improved greatly after using Merit products. Mrs. Smilles tells Merit Software, “I just wanted to thank you for the great products your company makes. I have ordered 6 software titles and my daughter has been using them everyday. I don’t even have to remind her to use them and she feels they have been very helpful. Today she was using the grammar-she said she didn’t even understand grammar, but after her lesson she said she got it! It does me good to see her smile and for her to feel good about herself.”

Parent: Patricia Ann Hicks and her 13-year-old daughter

Patricia Ann Hicks discovered the Merit Software website while searching for educational software to help her daughter improve her reading comprehension and pre-algebra skills for standardized test preparation. Mrs. Hicks tells Merit Software, “I was very impressed upon reading about your company and its unique software programs. You are to be commended for producing such outstanding, innovative instructional technology for improving and building students skills. The software was easy to install and my daughter really enjoys the programs. You can expect more orders from me and I’ll make sure I tell my friends and relatives about your software. Thank you so much.”

All Merit Software is designed to provide the maximum amount of instructional detail with the least amount of extraneous content. All programs have a straightforward presentation while using the highest level of learning and “interactivity” technology allows. Categories include Reading Comprehension Basic, Intermediate and College Prep, Vocabulary, Process Writing, Writing Mechanics-Grammar, ESL Grammar, Math and Business Communication. All are easy to install and understand, offer immediate feedback and automatically track student progress.

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.

###