What's New - Research on Merit Published in Two Peer-Reviewed Journals

The June 2006 issue of The Journal of Computer Assisted Learning published the results of a study, which measured the effect of Merit reading and writing programs on the standardized test scores of West Virginia middle school students.

http://www.meritsoftware.com/news/display.php?pid=29

The July 2006 issue of i-Manager's Journal of Educational Technology published the results of a separate study, which examined the standardized test scores of West Virginia middle school students using Merit math programs.

http://www.meritsoftware.com/news/display.php?pid=30

Both studies confirmed that using Merit Software as a supplement to instruction improved student test scores on the WESTEST, West Virginia's state test for reading and language arts, math, science, and social science proficiency.

Low-achieving students made long term test score gains when using Merit reading and writing software in one study. In the Merit math evaluation, the intervention had a large effect, .844, and a p value of .001. These findings indicate that educators can expect to replicate similar results at their schools.

In The News - Finding Funding

As state coffers continue to shrink this year, there is less money for education, and much of what is available is earmarked for mandates. Yet the money is out there if you know how to find, create, or borrow it; the trick is to be creative. Here are a dozen ideas that are so crazy, they just might work.

http://techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=190302221

Recommended Resource - Grant Wrangler

Grant Wrangler is a great way for teachers and administrators to find funding for their programs. The site offers a database of grants and awards to K-12 teachers, schools, and students. Head wrangler Karen Greenwood Henke provides tips, links to useful resources, and discussion of recent grant giving trends. In addition to finding grants, users are encouraged to participate in the discussion and suggest new grants to add to the database.

http://www.grantwrangler.com/

Grants for U.S. Educators - RGK Foundation

RGK Foundation awards grants for Education to programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education.

http://www.rgkfoundation.org/guidelines.php