For the upcoming school year, the YWCA of Greater Portland selected StudyDog's online reading system to augment the LearnLinks Program, which helps young children learn to read.
July 11, 2004-No one knows better than the YWCA that reading difficulty in the U.S. is an epidemic problem that can severely limit a child's future. They see it everyday when they work with children in homeless families. If a child can't read, future learning is curtailed and confidence is sapped. In response, the YWCA formed the LearnLinks program to address the unique educational needs of children in homeless families. LearnLinks staff and volunteers work after school and during the summer providing the extra academic and social support the children need to stay in school and succeed. "Kids who can't read suffer educationally, socially and emotionally. It can lead to unhappy consequences later in life," says Adella Macdonald, Executive Director of the YWCA of Greater Portland, "With the right stimulation, between the ages of four and eight, most children can significantly improve their early reading skills and their chances of becoming successful readers and that is a big step in their hope of escaping a future of continued poverty and homelessness."
The YWCA bolstered the LearnLinks program by adding StudyDog. The innovative StudyDog online reading system, which targets kids between kindergarten and second grade, is based on two important sources. In 2000, the National Reading Panel, charged by Congress with consolidating valid research on how children learn to read, issued its report on what constitutes the most effective reading instruction. Second, recent brain research by Yale neuroscientists has shown that, with the right stimulation over a period of time at an early age, even children diagnosed with dyslexia can make the necessary connections in the brain to read successfully. The StudyDog online reading system uses a patent pending technology and analyzes an individual child's reading level and skills, then modifies the manner in which the curriculum is administered and presented. The program uses video game-like graphics and compelling storylines to deliver its reading program in a unique way, so that children stick with the program for an extended period - long enough to master the skills being taught.

"Engaging children so they are motivated to stick with StudyDog over a period of months, without placing an additional burden on instructors or parents, is a unique advantage," explains Deme Clainos, the company's CEO. "This occurs not only because the lessons are entertaining, but because the program is personalized for each child."

"We were attracted to the StudyDog program because of their history of success with reluctant readers and it can provide expert, one-on-one instruction without requiring a certified teacher," said Macdonald. Twenty-five children in a St. Louis after-school program, similar to the YWCA's application, used StudyDog's program for 14 weeks. Initially, all 25 children were reading below their grade level. At the end of the period, 23 of the children were reading at or above grade level.

The first implementation will be conducted by the Hillsdale Terrace facility, which is operated by the Housing Authority of Portland. "The YWCA is succeeding, family by family, in breaking the cycle of poverty and we're committed to supporting their efforts in teaching children to read early in life," says Clainos.

The YWCA strives to eliminate racism and discrimination in all its forms, and provides growth, education and leadership opportunities for women and families. The YWCA is the leading voice for all women and families in our community, providing the resources needed to live healthy, happy and productive lives. For more information about the YWCA of Greater Portland, contact us at 503-294-7400 or visit our web site at YWCA-pdx.org.
StudyDog, Inc. develops reading solutions for children, which include Reading Basics for helping children prevent reading difficulties and Reading Rescue for helping young readers who are struggling. StudyDog is also interested in supporting all non-profit organizations that assist low-income children and families. For more information about StudyDog visit their web site at StudyDog.com.

CONTACT:
Deme Clainos
StudyDog, Inc.
503-643-4449 X101
dclainos@studydog.com