New Program Could Help Your Child on the EOG's.

New sneakers for your kid? $40.A dollar for every "A" on their report card, maybe $6. Helping them get a better score on their end of grade test? Priceless.At Union Cross Elementary classroom curriculum alone isn't the answer to better test scores. Instead a computer program called "study island" is the link. Students pick reading or math drills based on the state's standard course of study.The program is formatted to look just like the EOG, therefore taking away the testing anxiety.Fourth Grader Sydney Anderson says, "I just get more prepared and I know what's going to happen and I'm more ready for it and it helps me understand more.""Study island" tracks the student's progress, offers up solutions and logs the answer time.Media Specialist Leslie Rathburn says, "which is really important when it comes to end of grade because you have a set amount of time and if a student is getting 100% but is taking three times as long, that can alert us to a problem."Parents are paying close attention to this program as well. Every child is required to spend extra time on "study island", either at school or at home."Having this tool at home, I can help my child even more with it and know that I am part of the learning now," says parent Tracy Roberson.The program isn't just for those in Union Cross. Parents all across the Piedmont can help their children study for the EOG's with this study program. It's web based so all you have to do is log on. There's a $50 fee, but there are worksheets you can print out and teaching tools for you to use. Best of all, the site claims your child's score could go up by 15%percent. If you're interested log on to www.studyisland.com.;