Private Grant Brings SAS inSchool^® Technology to Berks County Schools

– – Web-based curriculum enhances learning and increases teacher effectiveness. – –

CARY, N.C. (Aug. 19, 2004) - School teachers and their students in Berks County, Pa., will have access to SAS inSchool's award-winning, Web-based educational curriculum for the next two years, thanks to private funding through the Berks Business Education Coalition (BBEC). The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) is supporting the countywide project by providing facilities, support and follow-up for professional development sessions offered by SAS inSchool.

"The success of this program will be determined by the administrative leadership in each school district, ensuring that all teachers and students have the training necessary to utilize the full scope of the resources," said BBEC Executive Director Edward L. Phillips, Ph.D. "The BBEC and its chairman, Marlin Miller, have made a financial commitment because of the belief that the curriculum resources will be an important factor in student academic progress."

SAS inSchool creates Web-based teaching and learning curricula focusing on the core subjects taught in grades eight through 12, including English, Spanish, social studies, science and mathematics. SAS inSchool's standards-based resources are receiving growing acceptance across the country by middle schools, high schools, virtual schools, as well as community colleges and universities. Last week, all secondary schools in West Virginia received access to the technology through another private grant.

SAS inSchool technology offers a Web-based planning environment for teachers; for students, it promotes problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Also, the material is linked to state and national standards, ensuring that students receive instruction that is customized for their location. Teachers will learn how to best utilize the technology with help from the Berks County Intermediate Unit.

"We're very pleased to assist with this wonderful project," said executive director of the BCIU, Nancy Allmon, Ed.D. "Teachers who have viewed the program see the benefits of having this type of resource at their fingertips to encourage students to research and analyze information sources and reinforce instruction in the classroom."

SAS inSchool's software will be accessible to the more than 30,000 students of Berks' secondary public, private and parochial schools. Teachers will be able to access materials quickly, plan lessons efficiently, flexibly integrate the information into different teaching and learning environments, differentiate instruction and spend more time with students. A highly effective multimedia approach will help them teach the more difficult topics.

"The BBEC and its supporters have made an investment in the future success of their students," said John Boling, director of SAS inSchool. "County leaders recognize the vital role that technology can play in providing access to a quality curriculum, and now the teachers and students of Berks County will reap the benefits."

About SAS inSchool
SAS inSchool was established in 1996 as a division of SAS Institute. SAS inSchool resources have been listed among the top software programs by the Gateway to Educational Materials, Technology & Learning, the Southern Regional Education Board, and other national consortia. For three years, SAS inSchool has won the Technology and Learning Award of Excellence. SAS inSchool offers Web-based instructional software for 208 topics, including more than 5,000 Web resources and 85 media-rich InterActivities. For more information, see www.SASinSchool.com.

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