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Idaho renews yearly contract with tutoring company PLATO Learning Inc.

December 30, 2008 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

The state Department of Education has renewed a one-year contract with PLATO Learning Inc. http://www.plato.com/ , after the Minnesota company brought its computer-based public school tutoring programs in line with Idaho’s math, reading and language requirements.

The state has paid PLATO more than $5 million during the past four years for the programs in elementary, middle and high schools. Last year, public schools chief Tom Luna found fewer than one-third of the programs met statewide standards.

The Bloomington, Minn.-based company was given two 90-day contract extensions this year to bring at least 80 percent of its programs up to Idaho standards, which PLATO Learning did earlier this month.

By JESSIE L. BONNER

Full Story: http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2008/12/30/ap-state-id/d95cks881.txt