For Immediate Release
Contact: Traci Barnett
Tel: (714) 990-4332
Email: tbarnett@ballard-tighe.com

Ballard & Tighe Launches 4th Edition of Carousel of IDEAS English Language Development Program for Limited English Proficient Students

BREA, CA (December 9, 2004)— Ballard & Tighe, publisher of tests and instructional materials for limited English proficient (LEP) students, has announced the launch of the 4th Edition of its highly regarded Carousel of IDEAS English language development (ELD) program.

“The Carousel of IDEAS 4th Edition program uses an acquisition-based approach to language development, focusing on authentic communication as well as accuracy. Students using the Carousel program learn to communicate in social settings and develop academic language proficiency, which is critical for their academic success,” said Dr. Roberta Stathis, President of Ballard & Tighe.

A cornerstone of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is that educators should engage in classroom practices that work. States must demonstrate that the instructional materials used with LEP students have a proven record of success and are based on scientific research. Carousel of IDEAS is a comprehensive, systematic K-5 ELD program based on scientific research on how children best learn a new language. The program integrates listening, speaking, reading, and writing with major academic content areas to prepare students for success in mainstream academic classes.

Available in 2005, the 4th Edition of Carousel of IDEAS includes updates that address a wider range of state and district English language proficiency standards. In response to the requirements of NCLB, the program was revised to place a greater emphasis on reading, writing, and assessment, enabling teachers to easily track student progress and ensure that they are meeting state and district standards.

“With this new edition of Carousel, district administrators will find it easier to work with teachers to customize lessons based on student abilities, state and district standards, and time constraints—making the program more effective than ever. Highly effective teaching tools lead to higher academic achievement and greater student success—the fundamental goals of NCLB,” added Dr. Stathis.

Since its introduction, the Carousel of IDEAS program has been one of Ballard & Tighe’s best-selling products, valued by educators nationwide as an effective and fun teaching tool for use with students at all stages of language proficiency. Beyond its use with K-5 students, Carousel of IDEAS has been praised for its application in the field of adult ESL. Steven Donahue, a professor at Miami Dade College and features editor for Language Magazine, wrote about the 3rd Edition of Carousel; “Nothing makes a teacher smile more than having a set of exciting materials on hand to bring a class to life. And the Carousel of IDEAS sets are a virtual Jack-in-the-Box of colorful materials that have brought smiles of delight to my adult ESL classes… The materials are not just for ELD children. Because they offer hands-on activities that develop critical thinking skills, they are adaptable to the adult ESL classroom, without any hint of condescension.” *

Carousel of IDEAS, 4th Edition is available in two sets, organized by language level rather than grade level. The sets include a teacher’s guide packed with detailed lesson plans; a resource book with activity sheets, fiction and nonfiction readings, and assessment tools; 500 full-color picture and word cards overall; instructional theme pictures featuring illustrations and photographs; full-color transparencies; a full-color picture dictionary; student workbooks; and over 46 literature books in all. For more information and pricing, call 800-321-4332 or visit Ballard & Tighe’s web site at www.ballard-tighe.com

About Ballard & Tighe
Dedicated to making a difference in education, Ballard & Tighe publishes a highly regarded set of products that extend from assessing, identifying, and instructing students with limited English proficiency to transitioning these students into mainstream classrooms. The company, headquartered in Brea, CA, was founded in 1976 by Wanda Ballard and Phyllis Tighe, pioneers in the field of educational ESL (English as a Second Language). Ballard & Tighe provides testing, instructional, and training products and services to more than 2,200 state, regional, and local school systems throughout the United States and internationally. Ballard & Tighe’s staff of seasoned educators and technical product developers is exclusively focused on delivering language assessment, English language development, and social studies materials, as well as online professional development training that will help ensure academic success for today’s increasingly diverse student population.

* Steven Donahue’s review ‘Riding the Carousel of Ideas’ originally appeared in the October 2004 issue of Language Magazine. Please visit www.languagemagazine.com to subscribe and find out more about language acquisition.