Kaplan Publishes Revised and Updated Book for the Grade 8 MCAS:
NO-STRESS GUIDE TO THE 8th GRADE MCAS, Second Edition

By Cynthia and Drew Johnson

 New York, NY (October 2001)-Since 1998, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) has played an essential role in Massachusetts's ongoing efforts to raise academic standards and evaluate school performance. Failing MCAS scores can mean summer school for students and strict consequences for schools. Of the 75,000 8th graders tested during the 2001 administration of the MCAS, 11% scored at the Warning Level (Failed) in English Language Arts, and 39% scored at the Warning Level (Failed) in Mathematics.

The No-Stress Guide to the 8th Grade MCAS (Kaplan, Inc. and Simon & Schuster; September 2001; $8.00) provides students with the tools they need to prepare effectively and approach these high stakes tests with confidence. This Guide includes:

Focused review of all the tested material, including the new Science and Technology/Engineering and History and Social Science exams
Tips for developing the critical thinking skills measured by the test
Effective test taking strategies, including time management, elimination of wrong answers, identification of clues, and more
Practice for every question type
An engaging presentation designed to appeal to middle school students
No-Stress Guide to the 8th Grade MCAS is one of the latest books by Drew and Cynthia Johnson. The authors are state test experts and have written test review titles for 10 other states.

To read more about this title, click here...

About the Authors:
Drew Johnson is the author of more than 20 state test preparation guides and a national expert on state tests. He is co-author of Kaplan Publishing's Learning Power, a guide to improving study skills. Drew is currently an education writer and editor, creating workbook, textbook, and Web-based educational materials for students of all ages.

Cynthia Brantley Johnson is the author of several educational books for young people, including Word Smart Junior and Writing Smart Junior, both of which received the prestigious Parents' Choice Gold Award in 1995, and were included in Curriculum Administrator magazine's list of "Top 100" educational products for 1996.

Drew and Cynthia Johnson are also the authors of Kaplan's Parent's Guide to the MCAS for Grade 4 (0-7432-1406-4; price $6.95) and Ultimate MCAS: Expert Tips to Help Boost Your Grade 10 MCAS Score (ISBN: 0-7432-0177-9, price: $8.00), and are AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW to serve as experts on the Massachusetts tests, test taking strategies, and trends in state testing.

No-Stress Guide to the 8th Grade MCAS, Second Edition is available wherever books are sold.

About Kaplan Publishing:
Kaplan Publishing, a division of Kaplan's Test Prep and Admissions business, is a joint venture between Kaplan, Inc. and Simon & Schuster. In 2000, Kaplan Publishing released 71 new titles in the areas of test preparation, admissions, education, and career development. Books are offered in traditional paper form or prepackaged with computer software. Select titles are also available as e-books. Kaplan, Inc. has emerged as a leader in statewide assessment services through its publishing venture with the release of 24 new state test titles in 2000. In addition, Kaplan has forged relationships with schools and school districts to prepare students for state tests and to offer professional development for teachers and administrators through its K-12 Learning Services Division. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO.)

No-Stress Guide to the 8th Grade MCAS, Second Edition
SEPTEMBER 2001
ISBN: 0-7432-1415-3 PRICE: $8.00

For TV producers: Kaplan, Inc. has created a B-roll Package on state tests. The B-roll includes cover shoots of Kaplan's state test titles, interviews with education experts, teachers, community leaders, parents and students. Please email lori_duggangold@kaplan.com if you would like to review the beta tape.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:
To arrange an interview with the authors, please contact Lori Duggan Gold, PR Manager at Kaplan Publishing at lori_duggangold@kaplan.com or by phone at 212-492-5903

2001-2002 TEST SCHEDULE
The Grade 8 MCAS will be administered May 13-24 2002.

Press Contact:  Lori Duggan Gold, PR Manager, Kaplan Publishing - (212) 492-5903

Printable Version