OPTIMUM Software Helps Students Prepare for Ohio Proficiency Tests.

Business Editors

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

While spring may seem far away, to Ohio teachers and students, a March deadline looms. Thousands of Ohio teachers and millions of students are diligently preparing for Ohio Proficiency Tests, which will be administered March 4 - 15, 2002.

Now students, teachers and parents can add another tool to their test preparation repertoire. OPTIMUM(R) 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 Ohio Department of Education guidelines.

OPTIMUM CD-ROMs are available in fourth, sixth and ninth grade Ohio versions, each featuring sample tests in reading, writing, math, citizenship and science. 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.

Ohio students are required to pass the state-mandated, ninth-grade test before graduating from high school. Fourth and sixth grade tests, as well as off-grade Proficiency Tests, are given to assess student performance so that areas of weakness can be identified and addressed. 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.

"OPTIMUM is the ideal study tool for children living in an age of computers in the classroom and at home," states Judith Tucker, Educational Technologist for the Northwest Ohio Educational Technology Foundation. "It's always one of the pieces of software that teachers put on their must-have list."

Dave Kowalka, principal of Osborn Elementary school in Ashland, OH, concurs. "Practicing helps remove some of the mystery about the test and gives students more confidence because they know what to expect. Working on the computer makes the test more interesting and engaging. Any time we have students describe studying as `fun' we know we've got a winning product on our hands."

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

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 a comparison study, OPTIMUM results matched the actual test scores within three percentage points," adds Brown.

OPTIMUM software is developed by Photonics Graphics, a Cincinnati-based, multi-media 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