Approval of Renewal Contract with Scientific Learning Corporation for the Purchase of Fast ForWord Site Licenses for 33 Sites (Curriculum and Instruction Division)

September 2006, Scientific Learning Corporation’s Fast ForWord Instructional software was implemented at three pilot elementary sites. Since 2006, the use of this unique, foundational intervention software program has expanded to 33 sites serving a diverse population of students at all levels in the district. The sites include five elementary schools, four middle schools, five high schools, four career centers, two exceptional student education centers and thirteen adult centers. Renewal of this software program will continue existing support at each of the sites through January 2011.

This computer-based intervention program, using neuroscience-based learning principles, works in concert with the standard reading curriculum to develop and/or improve the cognitive skills of memory, attention, processing, and sequencing which have been proven to be prerequisite skills for successful reading. The interactive and individual exercises adapt to the level of the student; the duration of the intervention ranges from 12 to 18 weeks.

A list of sites is attached.

Funds of $314,500 are available through the Comprehensive Reading Plan (CRP) and Workforce Development.

A thorough evaluation is conducted by the Department of Assessment and Accountability annually in August to assess the program’s effectiveness for increasing student achievement. The results of this evaluation are shared with the Scientific Learning Corporation and district officials and are used to determine future purchases.