The Reading Program at Neighborhood Houses improves reading level of 92% of the children in the program and establishes validation for a new class of computer solutions, an EXPERT Reading System.

August 25, 2004-Neighborhood Houses, a non-profit, after-school program in St. Louis, reported an improvement in 92 percent of the children enrolled. Twenty-four children achieved average performance, or higher, on reading skills over a 14 week period. Previously, all of the children were reading below their grade level. Roxanne Crawford, Director of Programs, credits StudyDog, an internet-based reading program. "Not only are we very satisfied with the reading skills the children have developed, but so are their teachers. They definitely noticed the improvement", said Crawford.

The Neighborhood Houses are located in the extremely depressed areas of Northern St. Louis, Missouri. They serve mostly African-American children and their families, providing a safe, welcoming, after-school environment and community services to economically deprived families. The StudyDog Reading Program was adopted as the literacy strand for the kindergarten, first and second-grade children attending the after school program.

The StudyDog reading program represents a new class of computer-based reading programs called Expert Reading Systems. An Expert Reading System emulates the perfect human tutor and, hence, strives to achieve the same results the perfect tutor would, but for a fraction of the cost, in a shorter time period. It is available anytime and anywhere there is a computer and an internet connection. Like the best reading tutor, StudyDog knows the child's needs because it assesses the child's reading skills online and personalizes a program for the child. The reading lessons that are taught are effective because all of the StudyDog curriculum was developed under the guidelines of the National Reading Panel and has been validated. Furthermore, due to its technology, StudyDog engages the child for 15 minute lessons and keeps them engaged for an extended period where real learning can occur. Finally, the StudyDog Expert reading system continuously measures the child's performance and issues reports to the parent and/or the teacher. "StudyDog takes on its shoulders the responsibility to help struggling readers," said Deme Clainos, CEO and president of StudyDog. "Rather than require parents to learn how to teach reading skills or to take their children to a learning center or tutor, StudyDog supplies them with a proven system that children consider to be akin to a video game. The kids love the game and the parents love the results."

Teachers have become fond of StudyDog, also. Wanda Brownridge, an instructor at Neighborhood Houses said, "We Loooove StudyDog".

About Neighborhood Houses
Neighborhood Houses, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is a neighborhood-centered, faith-based organization that supports families by helping children become hopeful, healthy and self-sustaining members of the community. For further information, contact Roxanne Crawford, 314-383-1733.

About StudyDog
StudyDog, developers of the StudyDog Expert Reading System, a system targeted to children from pre-K thru 2nd grade, is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. The product is available for download from StudyDog.com and provides a personalized reading course via an Internet connection. For more information about StudyDog visit their Web site at www.studydog.com or call toll free at 1-866-643-4449 ext 101.