http://www.pr.com/company-profile/press-releases/138135

Education and Classroom Technology Veteran Linda Ash Joins Grade Results

Grade Results, the leading innovator of live, one-to-one online instruction, is pleased to announce that Linda Ash, a prominent education and technology leader in the Memphis area, has joined the company and will lead its expansion into Tennessee markets. Ash brings extensive experience in education… - September 02, 2010

Burlington County College Renews Partnership with Grade Results

Grade Results, The Leading One-To-One Online Tutoring Provider, Supports Readiness, Remediation and Retention and Contributes to Increased Graduation Rates. - August 30, 2010

Grade Results Achieves Status as an Official Provider of Educational Services in Tennessee; Aims to Improve Performance and Promote Student Advancement

Tennessee Department of Education Approves Grade Results as Supplemental Educational Services Provider. - August 27, 2010

Grade Results Opens in Memphis to Provide Live, One-to-One Educational Services to Tennessee Students

Grade Results, the leading innovator of live, one-to-one online instruction, is pleased to announce its expansion into Tennessee. Grade Results works with public, private, charter and alternative schools, as well as community colleges and universities to help them to increase achievement in all academic… - August 25, 2010

Oklahoma City Community College Selects Grade Results as Exclusive Provider of Online Instruction Services

Grade Results, the leading innovator of live, one-to-one online instruction, today announced that Oklahoma City Community College has selected it as its exclusive online tutoring and instructional services provider. Grade Results will support OCCC’s traditional students as well as its growing population of distance learners. - August 11, 2010

Grade Results Expands Educational Services to Louisiana Students to Improve Performance and Promote Advancement

Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Approves Grade Results as Supplemental Educational Services Provider. - August 04, 2010

Grade Results Announces National Expansion and Introduces Franchise Organization

Online Learning is Rising Trend, Future of Education – Grade Results, an online instructional company offering interactive, on-demand learning services, today announced the formation of a national franchise organization and the subsequent roll-out of a nationwide expansion. - July 24, 2010

Memphis, TN, September 02, 2010 –(PR.com)– Grade Results, the leading innovator of live, one-to-one online instruction, is pleased to announce that Linda Ash, a prominent education and technology leader in the Memphis area, has joined the company and will lead its expansion into Tennessee markets.

Ash brings extensive experience in education and virtual and technical instruction, as well as marketing, sales and business strategy.

“I’ve seen what a huge impact live, one-to-one online instruction can have on students. Grade Results, through this powerful form of intervention, will be successful in strengthening academic achievement and increasing graduation rates. Our goal is to improve college readiness, which will lead to increased retention at the college level, and ultimately position students for success in the workplace,” said Ash.

Ash is a proponent of blended instruction – combining quality in-classroom instruction with virtual learning environments. As president of the Tennessee Distance Learning Association (TNDLA), she has investigated many different technologies and solutions for creating best-in-class virtual instruction solutions.

“We couldn’t be happier to have found such an remarkable partner for our expansion in Tennessee. Linda’s expertise and involvement in various education entities across the state will make her an invaluable asset to Grade Results,” said Steve Berkman, president of Grade Results Franchising, LLC.

Prior to joining Grade Results, Ash was director of distance learning for St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School in Memphis, where she was responsible for designing the program for students and teachers to integrate two-way videoconferencing into the curriculum. Prior to that, Ash was regional sales director for Scholastic Education, where she led business development, providing educational literature, research based technology programs to public and private schools.

Ash was an early adopter of connecting technology with the classroom, serving as the instructional technical coordinator for Memphis City Schools. In that role, she created a partnership between the schools and IBM, creating the “Reinventing Education Project,” which ultimately became what is known today as Learning Village.

Ash holds a bachelor’s degree from Troy State University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Memphis. She is a national network facilitator for ASCD, and is a member of The International Society for Technology in Education, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Tennessee Educational Technology Association, and United States Distance Learning Association. She is the author of two books: “Design Teams for School Change,” and “Electronic Student Portfolios.”

About Grade Results
Grade Results is the leading innovator of live one-to-one online instruction, providing a comprehensive set of services to public, private, charter and alternative schools, as well as community colleges and universities. Grade Results is the only provider that combines powerful content, dynamic live instruction, and unparalleled technology to enhance the performance of students across the country. Grade Results’ state aligned content is developed and taught by advanced-degreed instructors and expands the educational spectrum from basic skills, such as reading and math, to highly specialized courses for gifted and talented students. In addition, Grade Results provides college entry exam prep, and a full range of college courses. Grade Results provides critical solutions to its clients, including one-to-one tutorial services, distance learning, credit recovery, retention management, graduation advancement, remediation, and intervention. Grade Results currently serves elementary through college students in Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. For more information, visit www.graderesults.com

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Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Approves Grade Results

As Supplemental Educational Services Provider

DALLAS (July 30, 2010) – Grade Results, the leading innovator of live, one-to-one online instruction, today announced that the company is poised to continue and expand its efforts working with students and schools in Louisiana to help improve performance through its proprietary online instruction solution. The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved Grade Results as an official Supplemental Educational Services (SES) provider. While Grade Results has already established a successful track record working with students and schools in Louisiana, this SES classification will open the door for additional students to access and benefit from Grade Results’ proven education system.

“The increase in academic achievement we’ve seen working with students in Louisiana over the last two years is very compelling. Grade Results has made a tremendous impact on the academic gains for students and schools that we’ve had the privilege of serving; and we look forward to having a greater impact on additional students and schools,” said David Thomas, Executive Vice President of Grade Results.

Since 2008, Grade Results has worked with schools in the Louisiana Recovery District, the Algiers Charter School Association, and others to provide educational support to increase performance on the Louisiana Education Assessment Program (LEAP) exams as well as the Graduation Exit Exam (GEE). With the SES provider designation, under-performing schools and districts around the state will have the opportunity to select Grade Results as one of their SES providers.

Grade Results is the only online education provider that combines powerful content, dynamic live instruction, and unparalleled technology to enhance the performance of students across the country. Grade Results’ proprietary content is aligned to Louisiana state standards, is taught by advanced-degreed instructors, and is delivered via live, on-demand, one-to-one instruction. Grade Results curriculum spans all subjects and grade levels, making the services flexible to meet the needs of any student.

About SES [Supplemental Education Services]
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act [ESEA], reauthorized as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002, is the main federal law affecting education from kindergarten through high school. Under No Child Left Behind, states are working to close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve academic proficiency.  Annual state and school district report cards inform parents and communities about state and school progress.  Schools that do not make progress must provide SES such as free tutoring or after-school assistance.
Every SES provider must be approved on a state-by-state basis.  

About Grade Results

Grade Results is the leading innovator of live one-to-one online instruction, providing a comprehensive set of services to public, private, charter and alternative schools, as well as community colleges and universities. Grade Results is the only provider that combines powerful content, dynamic live instruction, and unparalleled technology to enhance the performance of students across the country. Grade Results’ sate aligned content is developed and taught by advanced-degreed instructors and expands the educational spectrum from basic skills, such as reading and math, to highly specialized courses for gifted and talented students. In addition, Grade Results provides college entry exam prep, and a full range of college courses. Grade Results provides critical solutions to its clients, including one-to-one tutorial services, distance learning, credit recovery, retention management, graduation advancement, remediation, and intervention. Grade Results currently serves elementary through college students in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Jersey and Louisiana. For more information, visit www.graderesults.com

Grade Results Supports College’s Growing Distance Learning Program

Through Innovative One-To-One Live Tutoring and Instruction

DALLAS (August 6, 2010) – Grade Results, the leading innovator of live, one-to-one online instruction, today announced that Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) has selected it as its exclusive online tutoring and instructional services provider. Grade Results will support OCCC’s traditional students as well as its growing population of distance learners.

OCCC students will have access to Grade Results’ proprietary curriculum and live, one-to-one instruction for help in any course they need by simply requesting the service. Grade Results employs instructors with advanced degrees in their field to serve as an on-demand resource for students and are available 24/7. Grade Results replaces an incumbent provider.

“Meeting the needs of our varied student body is our first priority. We are pleased to offer our students a new solution for online instruction and tutoring that is not only cost-effective, but is also of the highest quality and reputation,” said Dr. Felix Aquino, Vice President for Academic Affairs for Oklahoma City Community College. “We are impressed with Grade Results’ proven track record at other community colleges and the quality they bring, within the caliber of instructors, innovative technology and superior content and curriculum. We are eager to see the impact it has on our students.”

Distance learning is one of the fastest growing offerings at OCCC and the college’s leadership has identified a substantial increase in the number of students who want to access an education on their own terms, or even from great distances, including students who are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meeting the needs of non-traditional students is sometimes difficult due to varying time zones and the ever-increasing desire for on-demand educational services. The Grade Results solution will help fill this need, providing students with access to instructors even when on-site professors are not available.

“The Grade Results platform is ideally suited for institutions such as Oklahoma City Community College. Our proven, live, one-to-one instruction platform serves as an extension of their faculty, allowing students to achieve better results, no matter the time or location,” said Matti Prima, Executive Vice President of Grade Results. “We are thrilled to work with such a respected institution and are honored that they chose Grade Results to help them support the academic achievement of its students.”

Grade Results is the only online education provider that combines powerful content, dynamic live instruction, and unparalleled technology to enhance the performance of students across the country. Grade Results’ proprietary content is aligned to Oklahoma and national educational standards, is taught by advanced-degreed instructors, and is delivered via live, on-demand, one-to-one instruction. Grade Results curriculum and expertise spans all subjects and courses.

About Grade Results

Grade Results is the leading innovator of live one-to-one online instruction, providing a comprehensive set of services to public, private, charter and alternative schools, as well as community colleges and universities. Grade Results is the only provider that combines powerful content, dynamic live instruction, and unparalleled technology to enhance the performance of students across the country. Grade Results’ state aligned content is developed and taught by advanced-degreed instructors and expands the educational spectrum from basic skills, such as reading and math, to highly specialized courses for gifted and talented students. In addition, Grade Results provides college entry exam prep, and a full range of college courses. Grade Results provides critical solutions to its clients, including one-to-one tutorial services, distance learning, credit recovery, retention management, graduation advancement, remediation, and intervention. Grade Results currently serves elementary through college students in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Jersey and Louisiana. For more information, visit www.graderesults.com

http://www.bluemaumau.org/grade_results_announces_national_expansion_and_introduces_franchise_organization

http://www.pitchengine.com/graderesults/graderesultsannouncesnationalexpansionandintroducesfranchiseorganization/77586/

Online Learning is Rising Trend, Future of Education – Grade Results, an online instructional company offering interactive, on-demand learning services, today announced the formation of a national franchise organization and the subsequent roll-out of a nationwide expansion.

Dallas, FL, July 24, 2010 –(PR.com)– Grade Results, an online instructional company offering interactive, on-demand learning services, today announced the formation of a national franchise organization and the subsequent roll-out of a nationwide expansion.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for an individual or franchise group to be involved in a fast-growth, high-impact industry and work with a company that has consistently demonstrated tangible, measurable results for school districts and colleges,” said Steve Berkman, President of Grade Results Franchising, LLC. “The added – and most important – benefit is that we can help improve the lives of the students we serve every day.”

Grade Results’ scalable results-driven solution can be customized for a number of learning environments, encompassing K-12 public schools and districts, charter schools, community colleges and universities. Grade Results has developed an exclusive technology platform that provides interactive tools for students to engage with the company’s proprietary, state-aligned curriculum, or receive one-to-one live instruction from advance-degreed teachers. The curriculum spans the educational spectrum from basic skills, such as reading and math, to courses for gifted and talented students, as well as college entry exam prep modules.

Grade Results helps schools improve student performance and mitigates some of the most significant challenges facing schools today, including remediation, credit recovery and drop out prevention.

“Grade Results is focused on helping schools and colleges achieve tangible improvements. We’re not limited to one mode of learning the way typical software solutions are,” said Suzanne McElyea, CEO of Grade Results. “Our advance-degreed instructors create custom programs based on the specific needs and objectives of our clients, leveraging our extensive resources, technology and flexibility. We’re very excited about the development of the franchise organization, which will help to bring this innovative learning solution to more schools across the country.”

Grade Results currently serves elementary through college students in Texas, Illinois, New Jersey and Louisiana.

Individuals or business groups interested in developing a Grade Results territory in their area may contact Steve Berkman at sberkman@graderesults.com or (888) 627-6488.

About Grade Results
Grade Results is an online instructional company offering interactive, on-demand learning services for K-12 school districts, charter schools, community colleges and universities. Grade Results’ proprietary, state-aligned curriculum is developed by its team of advance-degreed experts and enhanced by its superior technology platform. Providing a number of instructional tools, including self-paced modules, one-to-one live tutoring and a hybrid of the two services, Grade Results’ student-focused, prescriptive methodology equips each student to measurably improve his or her performance. For more information, visit www.graderesults.com

Contact Information

Grade Results
Lynaia Lutes
817-226-4332
lynaial@bsapr.com
www.graderesults.com

In 2002, the year B.J. Howery was hired as Pembroke Community Consolidated School District 259 superintendent, the district’s academic performance was in shambles.

Pembroke was a regular fixture on the state academic watch list. And that year, in a dismal display of academic failure, only 6.8 percent of eighth-grade students were meeting Illinois State Learning Standards in math.

It took time, focus and plenty of persistence to do it, but Lorenzo R. Smith School, the district’s single school, has completely reversed its fortunes. And as Howery is set to retire this year, she has plenty of solid data to prove it.

The percentage of eighth-graders meeting state standards in math climbed to 62.1 percent of students in 2009, according to the latest published results. In 2008, the entire school district met state standards for the first time and was subsequently lifted off the state academic watch list.

“She is relentless,” Edna Dixon, the school’s speech and language pathologist, said of Howery. “She can be tenacious, especially if it’s best for the children. That’s her motto — what’s best for the children.”

For her part, Howery will be returning to Atlanta to be near her son and daughter when her tenure expires June 30. But she’ll be bringing
good memories with her, including one of her most cherished.

This year, the Illinois State Board of Education designated Lorenzo R. Smith School as one of the state’s 975 “Honor Roll” schools for maintaining academic excellence. It has also been named a “Spotlight School” for beating the odds overcoming a high poverty rate to achieve
that designation.

“I got to see that,” Howery said. “That’s enough fanfare for me.”

Rodney Johnson, Ed.D.

Dropout Reduction

March 7, 2010

The dropout rate is highest for Blacks, Hispanics, and low-income students. Researchers agree that Texas’ statewide dropout rate hovers around 33 percent, which is about 20 points higher than official statistics compiled by TEA. After surveying many students, it has been determined that the barriers to high school graduation are diverse as the participating students. Thirty-three percent indicate a lack of course credits to graduate. 33% of those surveyed contribute their poor performance in lower grades as a contributing factor that prevented their graduation. These factors were by far the leading causes which students identified as barriers to graduation. A lack of time, a lack of self-confidence, and a lack of family support were identified as additional barriers that led to negative graduation rates.

There are several dominant factors impacting our dropout rate— failures related to high-stakes assessment, working students, working parents who are students, credit deficiencies, and disenfranchised students. A comprehensive program for over age students in grades 9-12, should be designed to help students return to school and ultimately to obtain their diploma. There is a tremendous gap between the high aspirations of high school students and low inequitable high school graduation and college completion rates in the United States. Two-thirds of ninth graders graduate from high school within four years. Additionally, less than 18% of ninth graders finish high school within four years, go on to college right after high school, and complete an associate’s degree within three years or a bachelor’s within six years. Flexible scheduling is key to any program design for at-risk students specifically to accommodate work schedules and other factors which might otherwise prevent students from attending a traditional campus.

Research shows that there are specific steps to reducing the dropout rate in the United States. Make sure students receive individual attention in safe schools, in smaller learning communities within large schools, in small, and in programs during the summer, weekends, and before and after school that provide tutoring and build on what students learn during the school day. Act early so students do not drop out with high-quality, universal preschool and full-day kindergarten; strong elementary programs that ensure students are doing grade-level work when they enter middle school; and middle school programs that address causes of dropping out that appear in these grades and ensure that students have access to algebra, science, and other courses that serve as the foundation for success in high school and beyond. Additionally, monitor, accurately report, and work to reduce dropout rates by gathering accurate data for key student groups (such as racial, ethnic, and economic), establishing benchmarks in each state for eliminating dropouts, and adopting the standardized reporting method developed by the National Governors Association.

The benefits of being a productive member of society are directly proportional to the level of education achieved. High school graduates earn over $200,000 more in life time earnings. Those achieving an associate’s degree earns over $600,000 more in life time earnings, and Bachelor’s degree recipients earns over $2.5 million more in life time earnings. 2.5 million students have dropped out in the past 20 years. The long-term cost to Society is $730 billion in lost revenue and cost for the state of Texas. If students are not encouraged to stay in school, state demographers predict that average household incomes in Texas will decline. Prevention cost at least $1.7 billion to keep dropouts in four years of school. And through the High School Allotment of $275 per high school student, that is money well spent for dropout-prevention and college readiness.

Association of 23 Private Colleges and Universities Joins with Grade Results to Support Students who Want to Attend College and Those Already Attending their ACI schools.

Chicago, IL, March 4th, 2010—The ASSOCIATED COLLEGES OF ILLINOIS (ACI) (www.acifund.org) has partnered with Grade Results, LLC (www.graderesults.com) to offer the best of breed online educational services to the 23 private colleges and universities that belong to its consortium. Thousands of underserved high school students around the state will have the opportunity to benefit from distance-learning opportunities that are based on the state standards of Illinois. ACI helps solve some of the nation’s most challenging educational problems through scalable and sustainable programs that extend new learning opportunities to low-income, minority, and first generation students.

“Grade Results will provide our colleges and universities with the high quality online instruction, tutoring, writing lab and online content they need to ensure success,” said Jerry Fuller, Executive Director of the ACI. “We think Grade Results can make a difference and help thousands of students in Illinois succeed. By enhancing teaching and learning for students that need help, we can raise graduation and college entrance rates, while improving the chances of college success for first-generation entrants.”

“We are very excited to partner with a leading organization like ACI and their outstanding group of colleges and universities,” said Aisha Mallory, Vice President of Grade Results, LLC. “We want to help students close the achievement gap by offering an affordable learning opportunity.”

About the ASSOCIATED COLLEGES OF ILLINOIS

The ASSOCIATED COLLEGES OF ILLINOIS (ACI) is a group of 23 private colleges and universities, rooted in the liberal arts tradition, which leverages the expertise of our statewide network to provide underserved students with new educational opportunities. ACI’s goals are to enhance teaching and learning in K-12 schools serving our neediest students, raise graduation and college entrance rates among at-risk high school students, and improve the chances of college success for first-generation, low-income, and minority students.

 For more information, go to www.acifund.org or call 312-263-2391.

About GRADE RESULTS:
GRADE RESULTS, based in Carrollton, Texas, is a leader in providing online tutoring, academic support, and test preparation to students around the country. School districts, colleges, universities, and textbook publishers and companies partner with GRADE RESULTS to improve learning outcomes, one student at a time. GRADE RESULTS connects students and tutors for assistance in math, science, language arts, reading, and English language learning anytime, anywhere they have a computer and an internet connection. GRADE RESULTS currently works with students from 2^nd grade to adult education throughout the country. For more information, visit Grade Results’ Online Tutoring, or call 800-928-5570.

Press Contact

Aisha Mallory

Vice President

Grade Results, Inc.

800-928-5570

I just wanted to let you know that I just spent 2 1/2 hrs on Grade Results getting some assistance with my statistics homework and they are GREAT! They’re polite, helpful, and take their time to make sure you understand everything!