10/21/15 tw/lp/kb
HAYS, Kan. -- Istation, a leader in educational technology, has donated Istation Reading to the Tiger Tots Nurtury Center at Fort Hays State University.

The Istation Reading subscriptions will expose the early learners at Tiger Tots Nurtury Center to an engaging, interactive digital learning program. Tiger Tots is a preschool and child care facility on the FHSU campus that shares with Istation a commitment to developing a love of learning in all young children.

"We are excited to receive this valuable donation to promote early literacy growth in our young learners through developmentally appropriate technology use," said Sara Stroup, director of Tiger Tots. "Istation provides an assessment and intervention curriculum that together will allow us to identify our children's weaknesses and immediately provide data-driven instruction specific to each child's needs."

"We are pleased to give Istation Reading to the students and teachers at Tiger Tots," said Istation chair and CEO Richard H. Collins. "Preschool is a critical time for gaining early literacy skills. We believe Istation Reading will complement the great work that's already being done at Tiger Tots, and the end result will be kindergarten-ready students."

Istation Reading is computer-delivered literacy instruction that strictly adheres to research-based standards. Istation's early childhood program is carefully crafted to ensure every lesson is purposeful, interactive and engaging. Children play along as they learn through clapping and singing with songs and games.

In addition to the software, Istation is donating three iPads to Tiger Tots. The total value of the gift is about $15,000. The unlimited subscriptions are good through June 30, 2018. Training on the program is included.

Istation was recently awarded a contract through the state-funded Kansas Reading Success Program providing pre-K through eighth-grade students at public and open-enrollment charter schools in Kansas unlimited access to Istation Reading for the 2015-2016 school year. FHSU's College of Education will conduct research studying the effects of the Istation Reading program on participating students.

Istation is an award-winning comprehensive e-learning program used by more than four million students across the world. Known for its accurate assessments, engaging curriculum and trusted teacher tools, Istation helps students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade achieve academic growth.

An animated, game-like interface effectively engages students so that they do not even know they're being evaluated. Along with its highly interactive digital curriculum, Istation provides teachers with access to thousands of lessons perfect for instructing small groups or an entire class. Comprehensive progress reports are also immediately available for educators, administrators and parents.

Istation instruction is available in Reading, Reading en Español and Math. Students can also use their Istation subscriptions at home.

For more information on Istation, contact Teresa Woodard, 972-715-3887, or email twoodard@istation.com.

For more information on Tiger Tots Nurtury Center, contact Stroup at 785-628-4101 or email sjstroup@fhsu.edu.