Challenging Our Minds (COM), is a research evidence-based, cognitive skills enhancement system that began in 1990 as an educational research project designed by Dr. Odie Bracy, a clinical neuropsychologist. This experiment, conducted in a Yorktown, Indiana middle school, was supposed to be just a one semester research project until the school faculty and parents saw the difference the program made in the thinking skills and educational abilities of the children who participated. The program has been offered there ever since.

Three research investigations have resulted from the Challenging Our Minds project. The first (Bracy et al, 1999) demonstrated the effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive (thinking) skills training for improving the intellectual functioning of 12 to 14 year-old children. Eighty middle school students participated in the 9-week study. The students enrolled in either a computer-assisted thinking skills training group (which utilized computerized exercises modified from brain injury rehabilitation applications) or a study hall control group. A significant increase in intellectual functioning (p<.01) was found only in the experimental group as measured by Jackson's Multidimensional Aptitude Battery.

The second research project (submitted for publication) included over 250 students over a six year period. In this study the children were assigned to groups in which one group of children showed pre-study IQs less than 100 and the other group showed pre IQs above 100. Two control groups were established using the same criteria. Both experimental groups showed significant increases in IQ as result of participation in the program while their control group counterparts did not. This indicates that neither practice effect nor regression to the mean was responsible for the changes.

The third project (in process) expanded to include students from the third to the eighth grade. The pre- / post- test measures used were also expanded to include: 1) specific areas of cognitive functioning addressed by COM and 2) independent standardized tests of skills and knowledge necessary to advance to the next grade or graduate high school with a diploma. Though they are known by different names from one state to another, most states now utilize these standardized tests.

Statistical analysis of the gain scores (improvement) on the cognitive skills tests showed that the Experimental Group (i.e. those that participated in the COM program) showed significantly more gain than the Control Group on the Non-Verbal subtests (p=.045), nearly so on the Verbal subtests (p=.06) and significantly more gain on the combined subtests (p=.01). In addition, when the Control Group's pre and post scores were compared for improvement, there were no significant gains, while the Experimental Group showed signficant gains from pre to post tests on Non-Verbal (p=.03), Verbal (p=.03) and Combined scores (p=.02).

On the state administered standardized tests (ERB tests), comparison of gains (Control vs Experimental Group), the Experimental Group showed significantly more gain in Reading Comprehension (p=.02). Within groups comparisons showed no significant gains for the Control Group, while the Experimental Group showed significant gains for Mathematics (p=.04) and nearly so for Quantitative Reasoning (p=.09).

Why are these changes important? The changes are evidence that we can improve an individual's brain skills. Our brain skills (such as the attention skills, the executive skills [that allow us to collect and process information], memory, visual and auditory processing, problem solving, communications skills and psychosocial skills) are the skills that help us to learn and acquire new knowledge. Improvement in brain skills can result in better ability to learn, analyze information and make decisions. Challenging Our Minds prepares a child to be a better learner. When the learning process becomes easier because the child is better equipped, then the learning process is less frustrating and much more rewarding for the child. Our recent research shows that improved cognitive skills lead to improved academic performance. If you are looking for a viable, research evidence proven strategy for your Tier 2 and Tier 3, Response to Intervention program, Challenging Our Minds can increase your successful transitions back to Tier 1, reduce your Tier 3 intervention demands and be the crucial factor that gets Tier 3 students on track to profit from their academic experience. Participating schools are offering Challenging Our Minds in a number of innovative ways such as:

With these different scenarios, everyone can maximize their academic potential.

Challenging Our Minds runs over the internet in your web browser. It is designed as a thinking skills enhancement program for all children (our research included impaired, average and gifted children) from third grade on up but it could be used for adults with cognitive impairment or even those adult individuals who just want to enhance their cognitive skills.

Some of our participating schools are offering Challenging Our Minds as a credit earning course for their general population children. With this scenario, everyone can maximize their academic potential.
We are currently accepting private individual registrations (for children or adults [including geriatrics]), Learning Center registrations and School registrations. We are offering some very special prices for the enrollment of entire school districts. We invite school administrators, teachers, psychologists, speech therapists and occupational therapists to take our Tour and visit our Registration page to learn how you can get this evidence based program for your school! As for individuals or learning centers, our subscriptions are on a month-to-month basis. There are no contracts, you can stop your subscription at any time. This system would make a great addition to any homeschooling program!

Before you consider spending $4000.00 + on a 6 to 8 week intervention program, give us a try! We do not believe that a comprehensive and lasting improvement in functioning can occur in that brief time period and, for most families, that is a lot of money. Your child can be registered for Challenging Our Minds for $25.00 per month. If you are doing daily sessions with your child, you should be able to tell if the program is making a difference by 6 to 8 weeks and that trial only costs $50.00 (two monthly $25.00 charges). The whole program can be completed in about 9 to 10 months for a total cost of about $250.00.

Our Weblog includes a wealth of information about our program and the cognitive skills it addresses. This information can assist schools, learning centers and families to effectively implement Challenging Our Minds. However, our professional staff is available by email or phone to offer you assistance and answer any questions.

Please remember that there are no contracts! You can stop at any time. In fact, you can take a break and resume the program at any time. We are dedicated to helping you help your children!