The children absolutely love the software! We have used Essential Skills programs in all our primary grades for the past three years. The programs are well organized and each child gets right to the task. The activities are short and the children get immediate feedback. This software provides the one-on-one attention needed to reinforce what we do in the classroom each day. We have not come across better skills based software.
Pam Sperber, Grade One Teacher
John Eader Elementary, Huntington Beach, California
California
After using programs from Essential Skills Software our ELL students are now performing above average in English speaking classes.
Angie Bennett, ELL Teacher
Richard Gird Elementary, Chino, California
These programs are excellent. They teach all of the skills our students need to develop as readers. There is so much in this software. It gets right to the point of teaching the skills and reinforcing learning. It keeps the interest of the students from Kindergarten to Grade Six.
Peggy Saddlemire, Computer Lab
Carnelian Elementary, Alta Loma, California
We have been using programs from Essential Skills for a couple of years. It was originally intended for ELL but now all students use the software. These programs inspire our slow readers to succeed. The skills align nicely with the state standards for Language Arts. We feel that these programs have been very beneficial to the students.
Tim Bybee, Principal
Burrel Union Elementary, Riverdale, California
Your programs are AWESOME! They are helping our students tremendously.
Bill Young, Computer Teacher
Kern Avenue Elementary School, McFarland, California
We use your Reading Comprehension programs throughout the day with the students from grades one to six. Our assessments this year have indicated growth of 1 and 2 years in some of the children who are several years behind in reading. All our children want to use this software.
Georgina Kneale, Special Education Resource
Grand Terrace Elementary, Grand Terrace, California
The programs from Essential Skills are extremely beneficial in shoring up specific reading weaknesses. The literacy programs mesh perfectly with the language arts standards.
Virginia Ray, Computer Lab
Surprise Valley Elementary, Cedarville, California
We use the Super Phonics program every day. The kids think it is wonderful. One of the things I like most is that my ELL kids do very well in the programs. They get the individual English language instruction and attention they need without a teacher having to be at their side. The children are learning phonics better than they have from any other program.
Diana Raybould, Grade One Teacher
Borrego Springs Elementary, Borrego Springs, California
This is by far the most popular software with all grades. We like how the programs keep track of their progress and that all the programs follow the same pattern of teaching. The teachers really like the fact the programs are so well aligned with the state curriculum.
Laurie Pitts, Computer Lab
Pendleton Elementary School, Buena Park, California
I can't begin to put into words what a difference these programs have made in the educational progress of the students with Downs Syndrome and other Special Needs. Repetition plays a large part in their daily work skills. Your programs present it in such a fun filled way, they have no idea that they are learning! The way the programs are designed is improving concentration and computer skills. We never dreamed that these students would progress as far as they have but with your wonderful programs it has happened.
Mary Blair, Special Education Instructional Assistant
Webster Elementary, Madera, California
The software from Essential Skills is used for the Title I reading program with students who are at risk of failing. They are wonderful programs! Our assessments show significant literacy growth. The programs are very coherent and very sequential, leading the students to acquire the basic skills they need one step at a time. These programs offer excellent skill preparation for the California Achievement Test.
Virginia Martinez, Title I Teacher Resource Teacher
Ben Hulse School, Imperial, California
Essential Skills Software has played a vital role in the improved achievement of the Reading Lab students at Webster School. It is the core technology component that provides practice with the strategies necessary for becoming successful readers. Through the data analysis, a marked improvement in the areas of Phonics, Decoding, Vocabulary and Comprehension has been noted. The data reflects increased reading levels for all students across the grade levels. The struggling readers have developed an enthusiasm for reading thanks to Essential Skills Computer Programs.
Wendy Woods and Kathy Gorman, Reading Lab
Webster Elementary, Madera, California
The programs are great! We always use Essential Skills programs for review to prepare the students for state testing.
Leena Phul, Technology Facilitator
Las Flores Elementary, Bellflower, California
Kids really love the program. I can't believe what your program does to help the students. I have even recommended your programs to parents.
Jane Young, Teacher
St Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, California
The most teacher and student friendly program to use. Students can work independently.
Ruby Dellamano, Teacher
Costano Elementary, East Palo Alto, California
We use the software from Essential Skills daily. We are very happy and use it with at risk students in first through sixth grade, with ELL, and in the after school tutorial program as well. Our regular students in grades four to six are using Grammar. We are very satisfied with the results.
Barbara Smith, Computer Technologist
Emery Elementary, Buena Park, California
Super Phonics is an excellent program for primary grades, and I use it on a regular basis.
Barbara Rose, Teacher
McKinley School, Susanville, California
My teaching partner and I were able to locate 2 teachers in our region who were using many of your reading programs in an innovative and exemplary learning center. Wendy Woods and Kathy Gorman of Webster Elementary School very kindly invited us to spend the whole morning with them. It was wonderful to see the excitement of the students using the Essential Skills programs, and even more impressive to see how their instructional teams collaborated to create a visual, tactile and auditory learning environment so tightly aligned to the state-adopted Houghton-Mifflin program.
Linda Wight, Teacher
Edenvale Elementary School, San Jose, California
We love the Essential Skills programs! We use them in our after school intervention programs and throughout the day in the computer lab. We originally bought them for our EL students to use but found they were so successful, we started using them with all our students. Our school raised their tests this past year, and it was due in part to extra practice of basic skills that the Essential Skills programs offer.
Tracy Battson, Title I Teacher
Peter J. Shields Elementary, Rancho Cordova, California
We use these programs with 500 students from grades K-6. The teachers and students love these programs. They are easy to follow with step by step skill development and lots of reinforcement. The children even come in at recess to work on the programs.
Rosa Lockhard, Computer Lab
Jefferson Elementary, Corona, California
Our teachers use the Grammar program from Essential Skills on a daily basis. The Grammar program is used with students from the second grade to the sixth grade. It is easy to follow, the kids like it and they are really able to focus on what they are doing even when there is lots of noise around them. They like to see their results when they exit the program at the end of each class. This program has been recommended for all the schools in our district by the office of curriculum and instruction.
Rosa Gomez, Instructional Assistant
Coronita Elementary, Norco, California
We use your Reading Comprehension programs throughout the day with the students from grades one to six. Our assessments have indicated growth of 1 and 2 years in some of the children who are several years behind in reading. All our children want to use this software.
Georgina Kneale, Special Education Resource
Grand Terrace Elementary, Grand Terrace, California
Our teachers love your programs and use them daily to develop and reinforce student academic skills. We have 13 classes using the software on a regular basis. It ties right in with the SCUSD curriculum. Last year we used the spelling rules review section of the spelling program to help our students prepare for the CaliforniaT 6 state test. These programs really motivate our students and allow them to work on the basic skills and move along at their own level and pace as skills are mastered. I would absolutely recommend Essential Skills programs to other schools.
Denise Watson, Computer Technologist
Martin Luther King Jr. School, Sacramento, California
My reluctant readers are motivated and engaged by the Essential Skills programs. They are in grades 4 to 6. I have my neediest students using the Reading Comprehension programs for twenty minutes each day. I like the fact that there are lots of vocabulary activities to go along with the comprehension questions. The students are motivated by the topics and they like being able to redo the stories to raise their scores. I like the reinforcement and the auditory components. I have been very happy with the programs!
Debbie Ramirez, Literacy Teacher
Jackson Heights Elementary, Red Bluff, California
We use the programs on a daily basis. I like that they keep track of where the students are and that they always pick up where the kids left off. They cover so many skills and are very teacher and student friendly. They are perfect for independent and individualized learning. The clues and rules make the programs easy to use for the students. We use them to prepare the students for state testing.
Jane Lafferty, IMC
Charles H. Castle School, Bakersfield, California
Essential Skills is being used in our ELD lab every day. There is a lot of content and it is easy to use. I like that the software keeps track of the student's work. The students never complain and seem to really enjoy their time using Essential Skills. The functionality of the programs is solid.
Adrian Garcia, CST
Pueblo School, Pomona, California
The Essential Skills programs are used daily in our computer lab, our regular classrooms and in our Special Education program. Our students don't get bored with the programs because there are so many different ways of learning the same information that the children do not get tired. There are many different auditory, visual and tactile learning approaches being used. This software perfectly matches our early reading programs. Our children are highly motivated when using these programs and we are seeing a big improvement in their skill development. I highly recommend this software!
Karen Morey, Computer Lab Technician
North Broadway Elementary, Escondido, California
I have used software from Essential Skills for at least three years with my second grade students. There is a lot of excellent content in each program with many different skills to practice and a good variety of activities that appeal to all types of learners. The children are able to work independently and at their own pace. These programs also correlate very well with our curriculum standards and they reinforce and supplement what is being taught in my classroom.
Pamela McNew, Grade 2 Teacher
Arrowhead Elementary School, San Bernardino, California
The software from Essential Skills does what I want it to do. It is focused on content and skill building in a progressive, sequential way. I like that the programs are skill specific. If I have a child with a specific problem I can go right to that skill and have them work it. As a bonus my students really like using the programs. I would definitely recommend these programs to other teachers.
Kim Solomon, Kindergarten Teacher
Santa Rosa SD, Santa Rosa, California
I used your software on an ongoing basis for several years while I was a classroom teacher. I felt good about using something that I knew my students enjoyed so much. The Reading Comprehension programs are great for teaching comprehension and vocabulary skills. These programs are used heavily in our after school program. They are motivating for children, and do a nice job of supplementing our core curriculum.
Lesley Clevenger, Program Manager
Natividad Elementary, Salinas, California
I love Essential Skills! I have spent a long time looking at instructional software options, and this is the best I have come across. This software covers the different needs of all my students. It is perfect for creating individualized, independent, learn at your own pace programming for students.
Cheryl Hanlon, Resource Specialist
Silver Spur Elementary, Palos Verdes, California
I use Essential Skills on a daily basis with all of my students. The programs especially benefit my ELD kids. I really like the presentation of media, and the use of rewards and reinforcements. The skills within each program are closely aligned to the California curriculum standards.
Kevin Porep, Grade 1-2 Teacher
La Escuelita Elementary, Oakland, California
Your programs coincide nicely with our curriculum standards. My students have made significant improvements using the Reading Comprehension programs. There is a lot of content in each program. My students find them engaging and motivating. I have been using your software for 10 years, and the recent upgrade to OS X was a big improvement.
David Hays, Grade 2 Teacher
Boronda Meadows Elementary, Salinas, California
I have been using Essential Skills for about three years. There are a good variety of activities in the programs, and they cover many of our reading curriculum standards. They really make a difference for our student. The kids are definitely learning the basic skills required for them to become fluent readers. This software supplements and reinforces the core curriculum perfectly.
Gail Dehaan, Computer Teacher
Pierce Elementary, Ridgecrest, California
The Essential Skills programs are used daily in our computer lab, our regular classrooms and in our Special Education program. The children enjoy and are motivated by this software and come back to them time after time. The tracking and reporting features are easy to use and create great progress reports. The phonics skills and the math programs are very well aligned with our curriculum. Our grade one teachers say that their children have made dramatic gains each year from working on the Super Phonics programs. The test scores have gone way up for their children.
Denise Watts, Computer Teacher
Martin Luther King Elementary, Sacramento, California
We use these programs a lot. We all like how easy they are to use, and how simple it is for the teachers and kids to see what the kids have completed. The programs are very comprehensive, and provide a lot of skills practice and reinforcement. They really support what has been taught in the classroom, and they are great for individualized instruction. We have about 300 students using the software, and they love it!
Diana McElwain, Technology Coordinator
Plantation Elementary, Bakersfield, California
I have used these programs on a daily basis for the past three years. They are an essential component of my instructional toolkit. I like the fact that in all of the Spelling programs I can enter my own spelling lists. I use this feature to input the weekly spelling words for each grade level. I also like the Grammar program because it provides thorough coverage of all the grammar rules, and practice of the requisite grammar skills. These programs offer excellent value, and I would highly recommend them to other teachers!
Liz Bower, Resource Specialist Programmer
Kirk Elementary, Fresno, California
I use the spelling programs from Essential Skills every day. The students are really motivated by the variety of high interest activities, and the programs keep the kids engaged for long periods of time. As a bonus I can enter my own spelling lists for individual students and classes. Also, the reporting and tracking system is excellent! My students and I love this software!
Suanne Miller, Resource Specialist
Hooker Oak Elementary, Chico, California
These programs are perfectly aligned with the Open Court program and everything that I am teaching in the classroom. They provide good review with immediate feedback thereby promoting self-esteem. The phonics programs are good for reinforcing skills with weaker students. They receive positive reinforcement for their effort which promotes accelerated learning. The programs allow students to work independently at their own pace while motivating them every step of the way. The wide variety of activities in each program ensures that students never get bored.
Francesca Schomberg, Grade One Teacher
Martin Luther King School, Sacramento, California
The Reading Comprehension programs are being used in our ELD lab every day. There is lots of practical, easy to use content and the programs have a good reporting system to track student progress. 18 of the 20 students have made gains since the December District Wide Assessment. Much of these gains can be directly attributed to the time spent on the Essential Skills programs each week. It is challenging yet fun for the ELD students. The students never complain and really seem to enjoy their time learning. They are also having a much easier time on the California English Language Development Test. They are quickly developing word recognition, decoding and vocabulary skills and are now proficient in completing activities, understanding instructions coping with the district and state testing requirements.
Daniel Toscano, Resource Teacher
Pueblo School, Pomona, California
We are very pleased with the programs we have ordered from Essential Skills. They are being used on a daily basis and we have 400 K to 4 students using the software regularly. The teachers like the variety of activities in each level and they are excited about the fact that the programs address so many different skills. Each program has lots of different types of activities that appeal to all kinds of learners. The teachers feel that these programs are excellent at building and reinforcing basic skills.
Anita McCready, Instructional Computer Aide
Lincoln Elementary, Yuba City, California
Our classrooms and our Learning Center use over 15 programs from Essential Skills. Your software allows our students to receive an intensive, independent, individualized instruction on specific skills. The programs use teaching practices that all good educators employ. Each program has a variety of activities and strategies for every type of learner. Our school was recently honored as a California Distinguished School. The software from Essential Skills has enhanced our curriculum and was a contributing factor in helping us to earn this honor. Your programs easily integrate into the classroom curriculum and are reliable tools for skill development. They are easy to use by the student and are helpful in documenting progress for the teacher. I highly recommend these programs to other schools!
Meriam Wilhelm, Principal
Silver Spur Elementary, Palos Verdes, California
Our grade one through six students as well as those in Special Education have daily practice with the programs from Essential Skills. Our kids enjoy the programs because they are actually learning the skills they need and they find that motivating and rewarding. The teachers feel that these are excellent programs to supplement and reinforce their curriculum and that the skills are aligned with the California standards.
Radhika Agarwal, Instructional Lab Tutor
Fremont, California
The programs from Essential Skills provide excellent supplementary curriculum instruction for our students. They are easy for the children to navigate. There are lots of cues so the children never get stuck. Each program has hundreds of activities but each activity is short enough that the students can always feel successful before moving to the next skill. Every child regardless of ability can work independently at their own level. Also, the programs are working great on OSX.
Roger Ashworth, Computer Technology Teacher
Zamorano Fine Arts Academy, San Diego, California
We're real pleased with the results we've achieved with the programs from Essential Skills. They provide engaging and excellent practice for our students to learn the necessary reading comprehension and vocabulary skills for their grade level. The teachers use this software to help prepare their children for state testing. The students enjoy working on them and each program has enough levels to provide a starting point that every child can achieve at.
Vicky Weatherby, Media Specialist
West Point Elem, West Point, California
We have been using Essential Skills programs for four years. The reading comprehension programs are excellent. Each program has a many interesting stories with a huge variety of comprehension and vocabulary activities to appeal to every child. The kids see these activities almost as a game as opposed to actually learning skills. These programs are very useful in preparation for state testing because they provide excellent reinforcement of the skills taught in the classroom. They are self pacing so no child is ever held up by someone else. The children work independently at their own pace and level.
Kathy LaRocco, Grade Three Teacher
Suisun Valley Elementary, Fairfield, California
We have a variety of programs from Essential Skills that we use on a daily basis with our students in grades 4, 5 and 6. I love the focus on the educational aspect of the software. We bought a variety of programs for a variety of needs. It is easy to target the skills to each student so they can work independently at their own level and pace. Even the most challenged children are able to benefit. These are ideal supplementary skills programs for all children and especially for those with special needs.
Kelli Masek, Special Education Teacher
Burton C. Elementary, Chula Vista, California
We have used Essential Skills programs in the computer lab and in the classrooms for the past three years. They are being used successfully in the lower grades to build the necessary early math and reading skills and in the upper grades they are used effectively for remediation. These are excellent skill building programs to supplement the classroom curriculum.
Karolee Rosen, Principal
Almond Elementary, Fontana, California
The programs from Essential Skills are quite intuitive. They address the specific needs of our students. We use them as part of our reading program with our general students and our children for whom English is not their first language. The students work on these programs independently and at their own level and pace. We have had eight years of sustained growth in our AYP/API results and the Reading Comprehension programs from Essential Skills have definitely played a role in that growth.
Randy Helvey, Teacher
Park Avenue Elementary, Yuba City, California
We use Essential Skills programs everyday. The kids really enjoy using the programs and all students are able work independently at their own pace regardless of ability level. The skills taught are well organized and correlate to our curriculum standards. The individual needs of our students are being met with these programs.
Christine Ervin, Resource Specialist
John L. Golden Elementary, Etiwanda, California
We have used Essential Skills programs for many years. We love everything about these programs. The kids love them and their learning is being transferred to their written work. They are always asking to use the programs because they enjoy the activities, the reinforcement and the fact that they are actually learning.
Susie Simpson, Grade One Teacher
Borrego Springs Elementary, Borrego, California
Essential Skills software is a big part of our intervention program. The programs are used with 240 students. I love how effectively they reinforce the skills that we are teaching. They provide lots of stimulating practice and keep the children's interest. We are seeing a lot of progress with student test scores. The Essential Skills programs are the most important and consistent of the supplementary instructional tools we use.
Mrs. Tammy Cholly, Title I Teacher Coordinator
Mariana Elementary, Apple Valley, California
We have nearly all the programs from Essential Skills. They are excellent! We love them and use them both during the school day and for intervention after school. The programs are very effective at teaching the basic skills. I am always amazed at how many levels there are in each program. The children are very engaged and quiet when using this software.
Louise Walker, Computer Resource Assistant
Calimesa Elem, Yucaipa, California
It is amazing how half-baked most affordable educational software is. The programs from Essential Skills, however, offer interesting & entertaining software which to its core is truly educational and designed for use in an educational environment. You folks are one of very few really on the right track. Keep it up!
Stu Bryant, Computer Lab
Dos Palos Elementary, Dos Palos, California
The progress tracking system is absolutely indispensable. The software becomes many times more effective this way. I also appreciate its network efficiency. I love having the option during the installation process to run it from the server or just use the server for data management. This is simply the best bang for the buck I've seen yet for curriculum based software.
Stu Bryant, Computer Lab
Dos Palos Elementary, Dos Palos, California
Our four primary classrooms use the Essential Skills programs daily. All students are able to work independently at their own level and speed. The tracking and reporting system does a good job of monitoring their progress. These programs offer excellent basic skill instruction that is aligned with what we are teaching in the classroom.
Mrs. Nicole Hunter, first grade Teacher
Moiola Elementary, , California
I would highly recommend the Essential Skills programs to other teachers for phonics based skill instruction. The children love the programs and don't get frustrated. They can work independently at their own level and the skills are presented in a sequential manner that allows them to achieve success every step of the way.
Stacy Degrano, Librarian
St. Felicitas School, San Leandro, California
We have been getting great results using Essential Skills. These programs are excellent and aligned with what is taught in the classroom. This is great curriculum based software and the kids love it as well!
Grace Wong, Intervention Specialist
Stanton Elementary, Castro Valley, California
We love your programs and wish we had the money to purchase more. Our children are completely engaged in the programs and strive to do their best to progress through the skills. They are also able to work independently at their own level and pace. Our teachers believe that these programs cover the skills in a very comprehensive manner. Also, the reports are easy to access and you can see at a glance how students and classrooms are progressing through the skills.
Rosei Goldsmith, Tech Coordinator
Serrano Elementary, Villa Park, California
The programs from Essential Skills address the standards in our district. The skills reflect and support what we teach in the classroom. The nine programs we have are used on a daily basis. We have 37 classes and everyone loves this software.
Mr. Johns, Grade 5 Teacher
Kelly Elementary, Compton, California
I have students who would rather work on Essential Skills than go to recess. These programs teach the skills that young children need in a sequential, systematic manner. The instruction is self pacing allowing the children to move ahead at their own level and speed. These are high quality, research and evidence based programs.
Sandra Crandall, Reading Specialist
Moiola Elementary, , California
Essential Skills programs offer great value and are completely engaging to all of our students. I can monitor student progress and match skills in programs with what is being taught in the regular program. These programs are making a big difference for our students and their skill development. We do a lot of research on computer software and these programs are the best! For depth of content I would rate Essential Skills above all others.
Christina Miller, RSP Specialist
Woodcrest Elem., Riverside, California
California, Results
Our school raised their tests this past year, and it was due in part to extra practice of basic skills that the Essential Skills programs offer.
Tracy Battson
Title I Teacher
Our grade one teachers say that their children have made dramatic gains each year from working on the Super Phonics programs. The test scores have gone way up for their children!
Denise Watts
Computer Teacher
We have had eight years of sustained growth in our AYP/API results and the Reading Comprehension programs from Essential Skills have definitely played a role in that growth. Randy Helvey
Anonymous
Teacher
Essential Skills software is a big part of our intervention program. The programs are used with 240 students. We are seeing a lot of progress with student test scores. The Essential Skills programs are the most important and consistent of the supplementary instructional tools we use.
Tammy Cholly
Title I Coordinator
We have been getting great results using Essential Skills! These programs are excellent and aligned with what is taught in the classroom. This is great curriculum based software and the kids love it!
Grace Wong
Intervention Specialist
These programs teach the skills that young children need in a sequential, systematic manner. These are high quality, research and evidence based programs.
Sandra Crandall
Reading Specialist