OPTIMUM Software Helps Students Prepare for New Jersey Elementary School Proficiency Assessment -- ESPA.

Business Editors

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2002

While spring may seem far away, to New Jersey teachers and students, an April deadline looms. Thousands of New Jersey teachers and millions of students are diligently preparing for New Jersey's Elementary School Proficiency Assessment (ESPA) tests, which will be administered April 29 - May 3, 2002.

Now New Jersey students, teachers and parents can add another tool to their test preparation repertoire. OPTIMUM(R) for ESPA is an interactive CD-ROM that helps students prepare for state assessment tests by providing sample tests and questions in specific subject areas aligned with New Jersey Department of Education guidelines.

OPTIMUM for ESPA CD-ROMs cover fourth grade language arts literacy, math, science and fifth grade social studies. An eighth grade (GEPA) test preparation tool is in development. Teachers and schools can purchase OPTIMUM in single units ($29.95), Lab Packs of 5 or Site Licenses for 30. Special fundraising discounts and incentives are available for PTA's and PTO's.

The ESPA is a diagnostic tool that tells teachers and parents how well students are progressing in obtaining the skills and knowledge required under New Jersey's rigorous academic standards. Additionally, New Jersey students are required to pass the state-mandated, eleventh-grade High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) test before graduating from high school. As schools are often ranked by how their students perform, many devote copious time to annual test preparation. OPTIMUM software is a valuable resource that can help teachers identify students' academic weaknesses and ensure they get specialized help.

A key component of OPTIMUM for ESPA is that the test questions are developed and tested by New Jersey teachers. "We don't use a generic set of questions," notes OPTIMUM founder, Christie Brown. "We develop questions based on the specific New Jersey Department of Education assessment test criteria for each grade level."

"OPTIMUM is a good product for preparing students for the ESPA and familiarizing them with the format and content," notes Lisa McConagly of Chancellor Academy II in Lincoln Park, NJ. "The software closely mirrored the ESPA and was easy for students and staff to navigate."

Each CD-ROM includes objective questions, as well as short answer and writing sample questions when applicable. All objective questions are computer graded and a voice tutorial reviews and explains incorrect answers. Short answer and writing questions cannot be computer graded, but model answers are provided. When they are finished, students receive a score on their practice test. "We were pleased to learn that, in an Ohio comparison study, OPTIMUM results matched the actual test scores within three percentage points," adds Brown.

OPTIMUM software is developed by Photonics Graphics, a Cincinnati, Ohio multimedia design studio specializing in educational software, graphic design, multimedia and Web site development, for consumer and business-to-business clients. More information is available at www.optimumtest.com, or by calling 888-548-4440 ext. 107.

Sample test questions and product photographs are available for your use at www.optimumtest.com