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Close Education • Opening Minds + Closing Gaps

Improving K-Adult Reading + Math through Online Instruction with Teacher Support

Close Education, LLC partners with Indiana schools and organizations, providing the most effective online learning tools in Reading, Math, and Social-Emotional Learning. We are living in a technological golden age where software and apps exist to support reaching every child. Online instructional technology solutions have advanced and now harness sophisticated artificial intelligence. This tech targets and continually redirects instruction, maximizing effectiveness. Close Education is at the cutting edge of this technology, and our programs include virtual master teachers and reading specialists that provide targeted instruction and teaching. The learning paths are determined and evolve through a series of continuous assessments and learner responses.

Embracing these tools enables teachers to utilize data to inform teacher-led instruction. This process makes it easy to teach every individual through tailored, focused learning. Teachers work tirelessly to find resources capable of reaching all learners. All students can and want to learn. It’s merely a matter of finding the right tools coupled with the power of a compassionate teacher. We believe in the power of personalized adaptive instructional technology and delivering teachers tools that enable them to provide extended learning time and data. This provision accelerates learning for all.

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News-O-Matic

News-O-Matic is an educational resource for readers in grades K through 8. Every weekday, News-O-Matic publishes interactive daily news content that teaches children 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, media literacy, and global awareness. Thousands of schools incorporate News-O-Matic articles into their literacy, science, social studies, and social-emotional learning curricula. News-O-Matic is available across the web and all mobile devices, facilitating learning anywhere and anytime.

MindPlay Literacy™

MindPlay Literacy is based on the science of reading and is the premier online instructional solution for all students. MindPlay Literacy contains embedded synthetic intelligence™ that intuitively guides students through areas of individual need. It increases reading comprehension and fluency for all students of all abilities, Kindergarten through Adult Learners. Instruction is direct and explicit, including a planned connection with the essential components of reading and linguistic processes. Mindplay is based on the Orton-Gillingham methodology. Learners of all levels achieve entire grade level gains in hours, not years.

Ascend Math®

Ascend Math is personalized online math instruction that provides students with a unique study path through skill gaps at each level. Individual study plans are prescriptive, adaptive, and automatically assigned. Ascend Math® has demonstrated results that enable students to achieve up to two or more grade level growth in one school year. This research-based program is an online individualized instructional resource that identifies skill gaps, prescribes targeted instruction, and motivates students to succeed. Schools may use Ascend Math as a Core Math Curriculum or a Supplemental Math Curriculum to target the needs of special populations, including Tier II and Tier III Interventions, Special Ed, Gifted and Talented, Algebra Readiness, Acceleration, and Credit Recovery.

SchoolsPLP

SchoolsPLP offers a variety of solutions to meet the specific needs of students and schools based on their situation. Trusted, Accredited & Approved eLearning Solutions. SchoolsPLP believes in the idea that great technology can enhance and expand educational opportunities around the world. With over 550 digital and printed curricula options, SchoolsPLP brings together multiple providers to a single platform, creating the best learning experience for students. Student engagement and performance are the top priority.

Cloud9World

Cloud9World is an integrated SEL/Mental Health Solution for PreK-12. The goal of Cloud9 is to provide a deep understanding of social-emotional learning, character strength development, and mental wellness through a literacy platform, including videos and digital and printable resources, all available in English and Spanish. It is extremely rich in content with flexible implementation models.

Our Sales & Support Team

Laura Close - Close Education Founder and PresidentLaura Close

Founder + President

Close Education was born from my personal experience with the dream and mission that all learners of any age can and must be reached. I have a 25-year history of working in education with a variety of educational technology publishers. However, my truest education came from raising two children who struggled with dyslexia. My passion and commitment to helping all learners in the world, like my children, are what motivate me. I get to share that drive and energy with my team at Close Education each and every day.”

As Founder and President of Close Education, Laura Close, has been working with Indiana School Districts implementing reading and technology instructional solutions for almost three decades. She carries a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University and has worked at several of the leading educational technology companies throughout her career. Her experiences and interests have taken her beyond the selling of technology, focusing on the diagnostics, implementations, and tracking of truly successful instruction.

Cathy Vollmer - Close Education Professional DevelopmentCathy Vollmer

Professional Development

Cathy Vollmer has over 30 years of experience in public education. She was an Assistant Principal for grades 4, 5, and 6 for 13 years and a Principal for 8 years of a K-3 Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Purdue University, a Master of Arts in Education from Indiana Wesleyan, and a Masters in School Administration from Indiana State University.

With these amazing experiences, she will always be a teacher at heart. Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment with the right tools, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family.

Maria Brown - Close Education Client Support ServicesMaria Brown

Client Support Services

Maria Brown worked with an Indiana School District for sixteen years. Her educational background in child psychology, human resources, and recent graduate of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials Leadership Academy allows her a unique experience in the world of student instruction. Mother of two, who are now Core 40 graduates of the Indiana Public School System, has learned first-hand how constant monitoring and parental involvement can change a child’s life.

Jimmy Close - Close Education Support Specialist and Learning CoachJimmy Close

Support Specialist + Learning Coach

Jimmy Close has experience in business with a specialty focus on entrepreneurship. He has directly used many instructional programs that claim to make a difference in helping with dyslexia but achieved actual success by using MindPlay. After being diagnosed with dyslexia and 5 years of struggle, Jimmy became a grade-level reader in only 7 months with MindPlay instruction. Jimmy is committed to making a difference for those who struggle to read and inspires everyone at Close Education.

Heather Johnson - Close Education Training Specialist and Learning CoachHeather Johnson

Training Specialist + Learning Coach

Heather Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Special Education, both from the University of Kansas. She taught for over 11 years in both Kansas and Texas, with a wide variety of students including elementary general education, K-5 inclusion support, self-contained and inclusive preschool classrooms, and behavior support programs. Heather absolutely loves working with teachers to help them use data to better reach and teach their students.

“Imagination is one of humanity’s greatest qualities – without it, there would be no innovation, advancement, or technology. Problem solving, creativity, and imagination will be in high demand with the rise of AI and automation.”

– Richard Branson

Contact Us and Begin Changing Lives Today

Have we piqued your interest? Are you already envisioning success stories? Go ahead and reach out to us here! We will get back to you within one business day to set up a more comprehensive meeting and discuss how Close Education will help with your specific needs. Thank you!

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