Currently, Pearson Digital Learning provides programmatic and technical support for its Waterford Early Learning and Successmaker products in 48 Title I Schools. During 2010/2011, fifteen additional schools will be provided this support. In an effort to minimize the annual support/service costs for individual schools and maximize the effectiveness of each school’s implementation, the District is consolidating all schools under Pearson’s Partnership Plus agreement. Through this agreement, well over $200,000 is saved at individual schools. In addition, Pearson will allow schools purchasing their products throughout the year to automatically be part of the agreement at no additional cost. All service and support is provided onsite in an effort to build the knowledge and capacity of the school staff for the products. This support service agreement provides the district with daily support from Pearson consultants to ensure fidelity with each school’s utilization of the Pearson instructional software, along with monitoring student progress in two key areas, usage and maintaining acceptable performance.

With 33,939 targeted students enrolled in the 63 schools, the service and support contract of $370,952.50 will cost approximately $10.59 per student. This is a savings of $1.84 per student over the prior year’s contract.

* Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

The impact to the Title I Part A budget will be $370,952.

At the conclusion of the 2010/2011 school year, a review of all support and service provided to schools will be conducted by the General Director of Federal Programs. On-site training and technical support calendars and logs will be provided by Pearson Digital Learning. This information, along with survey information from school staff will be used to determine the effectiveness of the support provided. Currently, a programmatic evaluation is being conducted in the Office of Assessment and Evaluation to determine the impact of the Successmaker product on student achievement. Initial data from schools that have implemented the program with a high degree of fidelity, show significant increases in student achievement and overall school performance. The district currently has on file an evaluation done by the Office of Assessment and Evaluation on the positive impact of Waterford products on student achievement.