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Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
New York, NY (May 16, 2011) – Teens studying with Kaplan Test Prep can now preserve the rainforest, adopt endangered animals, take action against hunger and feed homeless dogs – all while improving their scores for the SAT and ACT. For many teens, the rewards that come with a high exam score, like getting into their top college picks, are major motivation. Nonetheless, it’s no secret that most teenagers don’t love to study. To increase students’ interest, engagement and motivation in its pre-college programs, Kaplan Test Prep has launched Honors & Extras, which incorporates gaming and social media to reward academic achievement. Honors & Extras, which has been available to Kaplan’s younger students in their reading and math programs since 2009, is now a part of all SAT and ACT programs too. Students unlock badges and earn points for academic achievements in the online portion of their studies, including practice tests, lesson videos and quizzes. Students can use points to make donations to charities across the world, personalize a virtual room, or enter sweepstakes to win prizes such as iTunes® gift cards and video games.
“It helps our students see the connection between education and making a positive contribution to their community and the world,” said Kate Froseth, executive director of K12 and college prep programs, Kaplan Test Prep.
Among the good deeds done by all Kaplan students through Honors & Extras are:
- Preserving 28,000 square feet of rainforests.
- Planting more than 10,000 seeds to end hunger in the United States.
- Providing 1,250 dog bones to man’s best friends waiting in shelters for new homes.
- Adopting 14 endangered animals.
- Providing six years worth of clean drinking water and three years worth of food to families in need throughout the world.
John Bower, CEO of uBoost, Kaplan’s development partner in the program, said, “Marking student achievement with relevant recognition provides the extra motivation they need to put in the hard work necessary to maximize test scores. Recognizing students’ progress towards their goal score with donations to over forty charities has proven to be both inspirational and motivational.”
To learn more about Kaplan’s Honors & Extras program and how to best motivate students, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538. For a host of other resources for journalists, please visit Kaplan’s online pressroom at http://press.kaptest.com and follow on Twitter: @KapTestNews
About Kaplan Test Prep
Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.
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