Category Archives: college preparation

Secrets the Big Online Education Companies Don’t Want You to Know

Posted on April 30, 2012 by meritsoftware

Online credit recovery courses are big business for education companies.  Unfortunately, they may not deliver on promises to schools and students. These programs enable students to take courses in a variety of subjects to “recover” credits lost and receive a … Continue reading →

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Progress in Reading Scores?

Posted on November 23, 2011 by meritsoftware

Earlier this month the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress report on 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores were released by the U.S. National Center for Educational Statistics.   Reading scores continued to show no progress.

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Teens IQ Scores May Fluctuate Dramatically Over Time

Posted on October 24, 2011 by meritsoftware

A teen’s IQ is not set in stone, according to a study published this month in Nature. In fact, the standard measure of intelligence — often used to predict future success — can fluctuate dramatically. “It was NOT the case … Continue reading →

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Improving Writing Support

Posted on October 18, 2011 by meritsoftware

According to a new report, there are three effective strategies instructors can employ to improve student writing skills. Published by the Alliance for Excellent Education, the report examines whether formative assessment can improve students’ writing skills and what techniques are … Continue reading →

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Can Changing Reading and Writing Instruction Raise SAT Scores?

Posted on September 23, 2011 by meritsoftware

SAT reading scores in 2011 were the lowest on record. This is the second time in the past two decades that reading scores have fallen as much in a single year. It is well known that middle and high school students … Continue reading →

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Ghetto grammar robs the young of a proper voice

Posted on August 19, 2011 by meritsoftware

“Language is power.  The ability for young people to communicate articulately and intelligently is of huge importance, not only for themselves but also for the way in which they are perceived by others,” writes  Lindsay Johns in the August 16, … Continue reading →

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3 New English Language Learning Bundles

Posted on July 28, 2011 by meritsoftware

Introducing 3 new suites of its online English language programs. The suites present several of Merit’s popular reading, vocabulary, writing, and grammar programs grouped by level of ability and offered at discounted prices. For information, pricing, tours, and implementation ideas … Continue reading →

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Need for College Remediation Linked to Before High School Performance

Posted on June 24, 2011 by meritsoftware

There is a clear link between college remediation needs and how well students performed before entering high school, according to data released by the New York City Department of Education. This analysis was published in a recent New York Times … Continue reading →

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Incentives Offered to Raise College Graduation Rates

Posted on March 23, 2011 by meritsoftware

In what amounts to a ‘Race to the Top’ for higher education, the U.S. Department of Education is offering competitive grants to help states increase their college completion rates. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said the program would offer … Continue reading →

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College Student Passes English Requirement Thanks to Essay Punch

Posted on March 23, 2011 by meritsoftware

I am writing to thank you for making Essay Punch. Having missed exemption from English after my first try on the college entrance exam, I realized I needed to brush up on my essay skills. I found your website and … Continue reading →

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