Simplifying Lives. Transforming Outcomes.2014 Annual Report

Message from CEO2014 promised to be a year of change and it did not disappoint!

As school leaders, both your challenges and your possible solutions grew exponentially. While technology continues to see vast growth in your schools, the adoption process and evaluation of successful rollouts is still a much debated topic.

We are focused on the two key things that we continue to hear from you: support teachers in the classroom with high-quality resources and individualize instruction for students when they are working independently. And please, let’s not make anyone log in to multiple programs to accomplish these goals.

At Classworks customer meetings around the country we heard over and over again about how responsive we were to these needs, including:

• New reading activities and math tools were released last year to great fanfare among classroom teachers.

• A new partnership with ScantronTM enhanced our individualize instruction.

• Classworks now offers single sign-on with Google and other interoperability tools.

This is a sample of the many things launched in 2014 to better meet your needs in the classroom.

2015 continues emphasis on this with a new math offering to support teachers in the classroom and continued enhancements that allow Classworks to play a more meaningful role in your technology blueprint.

As you review the Annual Report, please enjoy our reflections and successes from 2014. I hope you continue to see the value and benefits you enjoy from your Classworks partnership.

Table of Contents1 Message from CEO

2 About Classworks

3 Advisory Panel

4 2014 in Review

6 Integrated Reading

8 Classworks Community

10 Customer Statistics

12 Customer Spotlights

14 2014 Trends

15 Focus for 2015

Lindsey Cook Chief Executive Officer

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About ClassworksAn Educational EcosystemA digital conversion is taking place to create a modern learning environment. This prepares students for more than just the next test or grade level; it prepares them for success in college, career, and life.

This conversion is no easy task. We love being part of it.

Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop.Classworks is continuously evolving to meet educators’ needs. When you invested in Classworks, you invested in a resource that would meet both your goals for the classroom of today and the classroom of tomorrow.

One Solution Meeting Two Distinct NeedsClassworks interactive, online program includes K-8 Math, Reading, Language Arts, and Science instruction plus assessment and productivity tools. We support you in two ways:

1. Individualized, independent instruction for each student based on their unique results – whether those results are from your assessments (like NWEA™) or our assessments.

2. On-grade level, rigorous instruction and resources developed to the new standards to support the teacher in the classroom for whole or small group instruction.

Together We Achieve MoreThe whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The ideal classroom includes data, online assessments, digital instruction, and platforms working together to provide a seamless experience for both student and teacher. Classworks is an open system on the cutting edge of technology standards – integrating into all classrooms.

Redefining SuccessIt’s not all about test scores. Whether it’s a smile from the struggling student who grasps a concept after completing our instructional units, or the teacher who suddenly has more time and resources thanks to our easy, open design and content – we know that increasing achievement isn’t always measured by numbers. High five to that!

Special Education

Response to Intervention

Whole Class

College and Career Ready

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Summer School

Flipped Classroom

At Home

Blended Learning

After School

You Speak, We ListenWe are committed to enhancing Classworks to meet your needs and initiatives. We foster an open dialogue with customers across the country to provide advice and insight.

The panel convened in Atlanta in October for our 2014 Advisory Panel Meeting. New concepts and best practices were shared on topics such as emerging education trends, the shifts in math instruction, meeting rigorous reading standards, the importance of interoperability and more.

Look out for some new and exciting developments and enhancements to Classworks, inspired by the great ideas that came out of this year’s meeting.

Classworks Advisory Panel: Educators Helping Educators

Thanks to our Advisory Panel for helping us stay ahead of the curve. We look forward to reconvening for another inspiring session in the coming year.

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40Total Panel Members

<1>9

# of years some Panelists

have used Classworks

800+Miles one Panelist traveled for our Annual Meeting in

Atlanta

Some fun facts about our panel:

8States

Represented

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2014 In ReviewDevelopment focused on updates to Classworks that help you navigate the ever-changing education landscape. The features, functionality, and content is some of our proudest work yet.

1. Enhanced Direct InstructionStudent tools including a dictionary, notepad, calculator, hundreds grid, and number line are available inside Classworks instruction and independently to facilitate communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

2. Additional Rigorous ContentIntegrated Reading activities for grades 1-8 designed to meet the rigor of new standards and provide a vetted, reliable resource for teachers.

3. Integration and Interoperability with Other SystemsPractice Unit Launchers are hyperlinks for Classworks instructional units. Units can be placed on teacher webpages, parent emails, and anywhere you might share a link!

Single Sign On makes logging into Classworks even easier. Districts that use Google Apps for Education can allow staff and students to log in to Classworks with their Gmail account.

LTI, or Learning Tools Interoperability, allows you to sign into Classworks through your Learning Management System (i.e. Moodle™, Schoology©, etc.), search for Classworks instruction through that LMS, and have student scores report back to Classworks.

And More...Student and Staff Dashboards assist in student motivation, student and staff ownership, and the fidelity of implementations.

High School Support Assignments give students the boost they need in key areas in order to be successful in 9th grade math classes.

Number Line and Hundreds Grid help students develop number sense and conceptual understanding in math.

Interoperability: Big Word. Big Change.

Interoperability in•ter•op•er•a•bil•i•ty (noun): The extent to which systems can communicate, exchange data, and interpret shared data.

Talking the Talk

Your learning ecosystem is becoming a digital one. With Classworks, the current or future pieces of your system interact in a smooth and valuable manner.

Walking the Walk

Technology offers great power to individualize instruction, reach students at home, capture student progress, and more. This year we made it a priority to maximize the technology behind Classworks by developing Classworks to the cutting edge of technology standards. This allows you to use our instruction in platforms or Learning Management Systems of your choice, post resources on your website, create assignments based on assessment data, and ease administrative tasks like enrollment and rostering. After all, you need technology to make things easier, not add one more thing to your to do list.

Partners That Make Classworks Great

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These are the partners we work with behind the scenes to make Classworks the solution you want and need!

Academic Benchmarks provides accurate, standards-aligned, metadata descriptions to demonstrate that solutions are aligned to education requirements.

Current Classworks Project: Align Assessment Items to Standards

Victory Productions is a content development, design, and composition company working for major educational publishers in both English and Spanish.

Current Classworks Project: Applied Mathematics

SEG Measurement provides advanced assessment solutions for K-12, offering a range of assessment design, development, psychometric, and implementation services.

Current Classworks Project: Universal Screeners

Integrated ReadingNew Standards. New Content. In 2014, new reading standards had many teachers doing a double take. Students are now expected to master paired passages, close reads, informational texts, and text-dependent questioning. But where and how would teachers find the resources necessary? Would those resources be aligned to standards, vetted, and reliable?

While everyone agrees the standards are necessary to prepare students for a successful future, the challenge became how to prepare teachers to effectively support their students.

Meet Classworks Integrated Reading. Developed to support teachers, this weekly direct instruction is designed for whole class or small groups and engages students with interactive tools that promote active reading and deep comprehension.

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Consider the standards met:

• Grades 1-8 with 36 activities per grade level• High-quality passages

• 60% Informational texts: History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical• 40% Literature texts: folktales, fables, myths, poetry, historical fiction, and fantasy

• Text-dependent multiple choice questions to demonstrate deep understanding • Open-ended response questions offering text or drawing response options• Passages for fluency, both as daily practice and assessment• Paired passages to help students make connections and draw conclusions

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Student ToolsFor success in the 21st century, students must interact with texts that are complex and challenging to develop habits of close and careful analysis.

Integrated Reading includes tools that assist students with building meaning. The tools ensure students are able to analyze and synthesize information in the text, cite evidence, and defend their answers.

Teacher ToolsIntegrated Reading includes support tools for teachers to provide the additional information needed to review, analyze, and make instructional decisions.

Audio support to model correct fluency.

Record and save ideas or show evidence for answers.

Highlight important points or identify key ideas, details, or story elements.

View definitions and hear pronunciation of words.

Lexile and Flesch-Kincaid reading levels for each passage.

Source listings and links for each passage.

Distractor rationales for multiple choice questions.

Printable passages for fluency practice.

Possible responses for open-ended questions.

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It Takes a CommunityTo support our customers more effectively and address your needs, we kicked off 2014 with six Regional Meetings. I’m not sure which was more exciting – watching the active collaboration among customers across varying regions OR knowing that building a community of Classworks learners would result in positive outcomes for all learners.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive – you appreciated our approach to professional learning and believed it more effectively supported your work with students. That consensus drove how we designed and implemented professional learning opportunities for the remainder of the year, and continues to drive our approach in 2015.

Looking ahead, we will continue providing you with effective learning opportunities that support integrating high-quality content and tools in the classroom. We will also personalize the way we deliver services. A one-size fits all approach to training doesn’t resonate and you deserve to partner with a company that personalizes services to meet your needs.

It’s an exciting time to be in education. We’re thrilled and grateful to embark on this journey alongside of you.

Celebrating Your SuccessThere’s nothing we like more than celebrating your success! Not only do you deserve the recognition for a job well done, but your success helps motivate other schools to maximize Classworks. We saw many successes in 2014 with new All-Stars and Classworks in Action participants.

Message from VP of Implementation Services, Katie Berman

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School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA)

John Heard, III Perry County Schools

Arizona School Administrators (ASA)

Dr. Denton Santarelli Peoria Unified School District

Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA)

Dr. Tony Thurman* Cabot Public Schools

Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA)

Dr. Philip Lanoue* Clarke County School System

Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA)

Dr. James Flynn, Simpson County Schools

Louisiana Association of School Superintendents (LASS)

Dr. Patrice Pujol Ascension Parish School System

Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA)

Dr. Gearl Loden* Tupeo Public School District

*Classworks Customer

Classworks Supports EducatorsNew! Regional MeetingsIn 2014, Classworks added a new professional learning opportunity for district and site level educators through six Regional Meetings. These free, one-day events included interactive sessions designed to promote best practices for using the latest enhancements and upcoming developments of Classworks. The events attracted a diverse community of learners and provided applicable ideas on ways to maximize Classworks in the classroom.

CongratulationsClassworks is proud to sponsor the Superintendent of the Year Award in seven states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi. We are proud and invite you to join us in honoring the 2014 winners.

1,795,664 students Enrolled in Classworks

121,427 teachers Enrolled in Classworks

115,113 days (315 years) Sum of all Time-on-Task for Classworks

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Customer Statistics

Key Statistics

Last Year (1/1/2014-12/31/2014)

434,834 You have requested 434,834 transactional emails

Students Earned

134,796 Gold Trophies

842,665 Silver Badges

28,169 Human Dictionary Badges

10,653 Human Calculator Badges

Whoa! These numbers sure have increased since last year!

411 Activity Results per Minute

677 Assessment Question Results per Minute

On Average

In 2013 -

323and457

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Our National Presence

Classworks continues to meet the various needs of educators across the country.

In 2014, Montebello Unified School District – just outside of Los Angeles, California – expanded from 3 schools to 10 schools. They have had great success using Classworks to provide individualized instruction to struggling learners in a lab or breakout setting.

Meanwhile, Randolph County Schools in rural North Carolina began using Classworks in a variety of ways this year. From independent practice to whole class instruction, both the students and teachers are enjoying a new resource.

WA

OR

CA

NV

AZ

UT

ID

MT

WY

CO

NM

TX

OK

KS

NE

SD

ND

MN

IA

IA

IL

WIMI

OH

KYVA

MD

DC

CT RI

PA

NY

VTNH

ME

MA

NJ

IN

LA

NC

SC

GA

FL

ALMS

TN

WV

AK

HI

AR

Montebello Unified School

District, CARandolph County

Schools, NC

10 Urban Schools

31 Rural Schools

Customer SpotlightsCommerce City Schools, GA Commerce City was searching for a comprehensive program to support their mission of maximizing achievement for every student back in 2006. Classworks partnered with Commerce City to create a long-term plan for success. Due to the dedication of the administrators and teachers working together with the Classworks team to provide targeted instruction, students achieved higher test scores and increased mastery overall. Commerce City continues to embrace new, beneficial ways to integrate Classworks into their classrooms, maximizing their investment and success.

By The Numbers

1,457 students

4 schools

9 years with Classworks

By The Numbers

600+ students

3 years with Classworks

2014 Shannon Wright

Outstanding Middle Level Program Award

Pinkston Middle School Mountain Home Public Schools, AR Like many schools across the country, Pinkston Middle was facing the challenge of finding an all-inclusive tool that would address multiple needs. In 2012, Pinkston implemented Classworks to meet two goals: individualized instruction to remediate and on or above-grade level instruction for the classroom.

Students started feeling confident with their learning when using Classworks. They were able to see immediate results and this motivated them to want to do more.

Michelle McWilliams, Principal

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We are so proud of the accomplishments in our district. This school year we had fewer instructional days for students and limited staff and resources. However, when your teachers and administrators are dedicated to student achievement and have the support Classworks provides, you see the positive results reflected in the students.

Joy R. Tolbert, Ed.D., Superintendent

Did the investment in Classworks pay off? They think so! In May 2014 Pinkston Middle School was awarded the Shannon Wright Outstanding Middle Level Program Award, honoring schools with high achievement in academics and college and career readiness.

I’ve been using Classworks to assess my students and differentiate their instruction. Now I enjoy using the new reading activities in my classroom for whole group instruction to help my students meet the rigorous demands of the new standards.

Karyn Jones, Teacher

What You’re Saying…Classworks has a number of robust features that give teachers the ability to differentiate instruction for students. And, because it can be used in direct instruction as well as for remediation or enrichment, Classworks enables teachers to truly personalize instruction in their classrooms.

J. Alvin Wilbanks, CEO / Superintendent Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA

I have enjoyed using Classworks in the classroom, but was even more amazed when I learned it can be used outside of the classroom as well. Instead of searching and printing up extra resources, this has made it much easier for me to assign extra resources.

Jalicia McCaskill, Teacher, Moundville Elementary School, Hale County School District, AL

Classworks has been a great tool used to promote literacy through technology in my classroom. The benefit is not only to improve scores by improving literacy, but also to enhance and improve reading skills needed for success in students’ daily lives in an exciting and novel way.

Kelli Hauser, 6th Grade Reading Teacher, McMath Middle School, Denton Independent School District, TX

Classworks is a tool that allows a student to feel successful. It might just be the turning point that keeps a student in school.

Patti Holland, Teacher, Jesup Elementary School, Wayne County School System, GA

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What Was Trending in 2014?Trying to keep up with all the initiatives in the booming Education Technology sector can be a challenge. Here are a few of the trends we couldn’t stop talking about this year!

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Flipped ClassroomIn a flipped classroom, students learn lessons at home with the help of videos (or Classworks Mini Lessons!) and spend their valuable classroom time doing assignments with help from their instructor.

GamificationUsing game design mechanics to drive motivation and increase engagement in learning. Classworks My Scores Student Dashboard is a perfect gamification tool.

Blended LearningA sure recipe for success: Mix one part Classworks instruction, one part students, and one part technology. Blend well for best results!

1:1 TechnologyProviding every student with a laptop or tablet to make learning more individualized, increase independence, and extend academics beyond the classroom.

Source: EdTech Cheat Sheet Infographic, edtechdigest.com

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Our Focus for 2015As education continues to transition from traditional classrooms to digital learning ecosystems, Classworks will focus on developments to meet those needs today and tomorrow.

1. Personalized and Differentiated Learning for All StudentsIntegrations with two of the most widely-used assessments in the country, Scantron and Renaissance Learning, are already in the works. Individualized instruction with Classworks keeps getting easier!

2. High Quality First Instruction to Support All Teachers

Applied Mathematics is brand new content being developed to support teachers in meeting the increased expectations in math. These weekly activities will promote conceptual understanding as well as the ability to reason and communicate mathematically.

Filter and Assign by Instructional Application will make searching and assigning instruction even easier. Optimize how you utilize our instructional activities to meet your needs - Teacher Led, Flipped Learning, Independent Practice, and more.

3. Reliability, Scalability, and Ease of Use Integrations Tab will be added to the Classworks manager, making all partnership integration options more accessible.

Universal Screeners will be updated and field tested to match the expectations of today’s classroom.

IMS Global membership ensures Classworks is part of the community fostering open digital innovation in education.

Our commitment to meeting your needs and increasing student achievement is constant and unwavering.

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It’s Time to Celebrate!Another year in the books and another opportunity to acknowledge the great work you and your students do every day. Each year we host fun, easy contests that allow us to admire and reward your great efforts. In 2014, we were blown away by the extraordinary responses. Give yourselves a round of applause!

See more contest entries and your next chance to win at www.classworks.com/contests.

The Integrated Reading passages have helped my students tremendously with the new standards. Students like the passages and the format so much that they beg to do these activities. They are more engaged in our classroom.

Anna Beth Williams,Lawhon Elementary School,

Tupelo Public School District, MS

Classworks receives a “Thumbs Up” from our school. Now in our 3rd year, I get to see every student excel in their academics because of Classworks. The assignments meet their individual needs while the Integrated Reading is excellent during whole group and as a weekly assignment.

Teresa Gibson, Cloverdale Elementary, Dothan City Schools, AL

Inside Back Cover

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What you’re saying…Classworks is one of the most user friendly platforms I’ve ever seen – it ’s an educational ecosystem. Not only are the principals excited, the teachers are thrilled. I’ve been an educator for over forty years and Classworks has really revitalized my vision for school with our children of technology.

Erin Weaver, Deputy Superintendent, Bibb County School District, GA

I love Classworks! It is such a positive aspect of our blended learning environment. The manner in which Classworks is designed provides outstanding instruction and support for every student regardless of their preferred method of learning or academic level.

Keith Godfrey, Instructional Technology and Data Specialist, Cleveland Academy of Leadership Spartanburg County School District 7, SC

Headquarters 1735 North Brown Road, Suite 400 Lawrenceville, GA 30043

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