There are three kinds of programs that embody Scientifically Based Research. The first asserts a relationship to a body of  knowledge. The basis is entirely on paper and in the eyes of the beholder. This is most of the market.

The second has a study that can stand up to a doctoral dissertation defense. It may have been conducted ten years ago, but if it stands up as a proper evaluation and shows a statistically significant effect, it will pass a What Works Clearinghouse review. Despite the low bar, this is a remarkably small number of programs.

The third builds scientific research into the program. Evaluation is a value of the provider, embodied in its organization, staff and operations. This is maybe one percent of the companies, and Carnegie Learning is one of them. Its Cognitive Tutor® program not merely research-based, as Bob Slavin would say, it is research-proven.

The firms with research built in to their product have a future, because they have a sustainable competitive advantage to counter the dominant players' marketing budgets and relationships. And so its no surprise that while other firms are having a difficult time, Carnegie is adding sales staff.

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Carnegie Learning, Inc.,.... publisher of research-based math curricula for middle school, high school, and postsecondary students, announced today that Tamara Bousquet, former Regional Vice President of Hosts Learning, Inc. of Vancouver, Washington, has joined Carnegie Learning to continue growing Eastern region sales. The company also announced that additional account managers were hired in March to serve three rapidly growing regions, the Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas.

Prior to joining Hosts Learning, Ms. Bousquet held positions at Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Co-Nect, Inc., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, and Applied Learning International. Ms. Bousquet is based in Detroit, Michigan.

Press Release, March 29.