Excelsior Software Launches Online Tutoring Platform Embedded in Pinnacle Suite

GREELEY, Colo. (June 25, 2009) – Excelsior Software launches Pinnacle Accelerated Learning (PAL), a state-of-the-art online tutoring platform embedded in the Pinnacle Suite.  Utilizing the latest Web 2.0 technologies, PAL offers a secure virtual learning environment where districts can provide students with academic help and enrichment from trusted educators within their own school communities.

PAL is seamlessly integrated with the gradebook, parent-student portal, student information system, and the curriculum, assessment and data analysis tools found in the Pinnacle Suite.  This integration gives classroom teachers a unique multi-faceted view of their students’ activities and progress in the instructional platform they use every day.

“Through this online tutoring program, teachers can manage a student’s entire learning process – both inside and outside the classroom,” said William Zaggle, President of Excelsior Software.  “Most important, students receive one-on-one attention with teacher-tutors selected and approved by their district.  This reassures parents that tutors are trustworthy and understand the student’s curriculum set, and provides administrators with comprehensive access to the complete online instructional process.”

PAL offers administrators the means to oversee and schedule teacher-tutors, deliver targeted curriculum remediation and enrichment, track student progress, and ensure that students are collaborating with a trusted mentor through a secure, confidential framework.

For teachers, PAL helps to reinforce classroom instruction and facilitate formal and informal learning through online lessons and activities without placing a burden on existing resources.  Schools can expand instruction by supplementing curriculum with homework help, remedial or enrichment sessions, peer-to-peer tutoring, test preparation, supplemental education services (SES), vocational instruction, and advanced placement sessions.

In addition, PAL is a centralized platform, providing an easy way for curriculum and technology directors to administer the program and manage schedules.  Through existing tools that do not require extended training, PAL allows teachers to collaborate by using curriculum rating, review and sharing features.  District officials can quickly access real-time reports listing information about student performance and teacher participation to ensure effective use of the program.

Live interactive whiteboards combined with voice-over-IP and chat services provide a personalized and active learning environment.  Students can solicit immediate help on assignments, and learn through real-time activities and recorded sessions.  Either for remediation or for enrichment, students can receive additional one-on-one instruction from a trusted teacher who is matched to their specific needs and learning styles.

“Online ‘classrooms without walls’ can create pivotal opportunities to interest and engage 21st century students in learning,” Zaggle continued.  “Concerns over Internet safety and the rigor of tutoring content have forced many schools to abandon their efforts to provide online after school help for their students.  PAL eradicates these concerns by offering safe collaboration with trusted district members within a secure virtual environment.”

Visit www.pinnaclesuite.com for more information.

About Excelsior Software
Excelsior Software delivers the technical innovations that meet the needs of today’s evolving data-driven educational system.  The company’s end-to-end solution, the Pinnacle Suite, increases teacher productivity, improves communication, and empowers educators to transform practices that improve student learning for the digital age.  Ensuring a high return on investment, the Pinnacle Suite provides: a student information system; gradebook; integrated curriculum and assessments; data analytics; tutoring; supplemental education services; and professional development that addresses 21st century learning, Response to Intervention, effective technology implementation, and formative assessment/standards-based learning with Dr. Robert Marzano.  Excelsior Software is a wholly owned subsidiary of GlobalScholar, a member of the Knowledge Universe family of companies.  For more information, http://www.pinnaclesuite.com or phone 800-473-4572.

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