Idaho Schools dump Plato – Computer program helps students on ISAT, uninstalled… and then gives them another 90 days

After pouring nearly $6 million into an out-of-state education company to help Idaho kids who struggle with the state’s high-stakes tests, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna has abruptly ended the program.

In 2004, as the State Board of Education wrestled with the State Department of Education over testing, standards and No Child Left Behind Act funds, Plato Learning Inc., landed a $5.03 million contract for remediation—extra help on the Idaho Standards Achievement Test.

BY NATHANIEL HOFFMAN

Full Story: http://www.boiseweekly.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A318881

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Idaho gives tutoring company another chance

By JESSIE L. BONNER

The state Department of Education has given a Minnesota company another 90-day extension to align its tutoring programs in public schools with Idaho requirements for math, reading and language.

In 2004, the state Board of Education contracted with PLATO Learning Inc. to improve student test scores that determine how Idaho schools are performing under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

The Bloomington, Minn.-based company has been paid more than $5 million during the past four years to implement its computer-based tutoring programs in Idaho elementary, middle and high schools.

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/11/07/ap-state-id/d949rseg2.txt