The Portland Schools Foundation is partnering with StudyDog, Inc. to provide scholarships for children of low income families, who have been identified as at-risk readers. The program is available to eligible children in all elementary schools in Oregon. To date 713 scholarships have been distributed. Each scholarship is expected to raise reading skills at least one grade level. July 14, 2005 -- In a time when budgets are stretched, innovative private and public organizations are collaborating to improve the reading skills of young at-risk children. The Portland Schools Foundation, participating elementary schools and StudyDog, Inc. a provider of on-line programs designed to develop reading skills for young students grades K-2, have developed a program to provide scholarships for children of low income families who are behind in reading and can benefit from one-on-one instruction and tutoring.

To date 713 children have received scholarships. Based on pre- and post-program assessments 92% of these children who have completed the 14 week program have improved reading skills at least one grade level. Prior to the program all of the children were reading below grade level.

StudyDog delivers essential reading instruction through an innovative online system that is personalized for the child and guided by a Reading Specialist. Fifteen minute online lessons three to five times per week teach key reading skills identified by the National Reading Panel and other reading experts. Students enjoy the program because of its engaging design and format, and the prizes awarded to the students as they progress. Through an initial reading assessment, StudyDog builds a customized curriculum for each student to address his/her specific challenges. Teachers and parents receive online reports of the child's progress.

To receive these scholarships, K-second grade teachers and reading specialists submit applications on behalf of those students who can best benefit from one-on-one instruction and tutoring. Students must be eligible for free or reduced rate school lunches. Applications for scholarships are available for download from StudyDog.com.

The Portland Schools Foundation is an independent community-based organization that mobilizes the money, leadership, ideas and the political support necessary to ensure a first-rate public education for every child. For more information about The Portland Schools Foundation, call Cynthia Guyer at 503-234-5404.

StudyDog, Inc. is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. StudyDog reading systems, which include Reading Basics for helping children prevent reading difficulties and Reading Rescue for helping young readers who are struggling, are part of an overall learning platform developed by StudyDog. For more information about StudyDog visit their web site at StudyDog.com or call Dr. Dean Arrasmith at 866-643-4449.