Montana Success Stories

We try to have our students on ESS programs 3 times a week. This software is very helpful in addressing skill deficits and we have noticed an improvement in their reading. Our students really enjoy using the programs.

Terry Billing, Special Education Assistant
Rosebud School, Rosebud, Montana

We use Essential Skills programs before state testing to help prepare our students. Reading Comprehension is especially helpful. Our kids love this software.

Bev O'Hara, Special Education Teacher
Fort Benton Elementary, Fort Benton, Montana

We have 15 Essential Skills programs and our students use them everyday. The students like the programs and I have noticed an improvement in student performance after using ESS.

Lori Donnelley, Special Education Teacher
Trail Creek School, Ismay, Montana

We use the Essential Skills programs with our K-2 students on a daily basis. They are used in the afterschool program as well. We like the way the way the programs reward and reinforce student learning. The Marks Manager for tracking and reporting student achievement is very useful to us as well. Ever since we started using the programs for reading intervention with our first and second grade students, we have seen that our third and fourth grade students are much more ready to learn.

Brenda Hoerner, Principal and Title I reading teacher
Principal and Title I reading teacher, Principal and Title I reading teacher, Montana

We have 4 ESS site licenses at our school and we use the programs for specific skill intervention. The programs are used in the regular classroom but more with remedial reading groups and Special Ed. The students work with the programs 2-3 times per week. We have noticed definite improvement in targeted skills

Cindy Worrall, Principal
Principal, Principal, Montana

We use the Essential Skills programs with our K-2 students on a daily basis. They are used in the afterschool program as well. We like the way the way the programs reward and reinforce student learning. The Marks Manager for tracking and reporting student achievement is very useful to us as well. Ever since we started using the programs for reading intervention with our first and second grade students, we have seen that our third and fourth grade students are much more ready to learn.

Principal and Title I reading teacher,
Canyon Elementary, Columbia Falls, Montana

Essential Skills is being used daily by all our children from grades K to 5 in the computer lab as well as at work stations in the classroom. The phonics software integrates well with our reading program because it teaches sound blending effectively which is part of our corrective reading strategy.

Bonnie Brule, Technology Instructor
Crow Agency Elementary, Crow Agency, Montana

One of the things I love about Essential Skills for native kids is that they like to be competent before they show anything. This software allows them to develop their skills in a private low key manner. It is wonderful for independent work. I like the Marks Manager. I print off copies for teachers to put in their report cards. The children love the software and I can see the carryover in their classroom work. I recommend the software to other teachers.

Kerry Drye, Computer Teacher
Arlee Elementary School, Arlee, Montana

We have Sight Words and Phonemic Awareness which we use in the classroom and in the lab. My kids are so strong in Sight Words by the time they leave grade one! I start my lower kids on Phonemic Awareness before going to Sight Words. Lots of these children don't get exposed to books before they come to school so it is very powerful.

Sibley Ligas, Grade 1 Teacher
St. Ignatius Elementary, St.Ignatius, Montana

We use the custom spelling lists weekly. The kids do it in their own voice. Grades 4 to 6 are using the programs and we have noticed an improvement in their performance. I would highly recommend these programs.

Kay Christensen, Grade 4, 5, 6 Teacher
Flaxville Public School, Flaxville, Montana