Dean Schaffer (left), a director at DemiDec, along with Daniel Berdichevsky (right) at the 2009 United States Academic Decathlon National Championship

DemiDec Resources produces study materials for participants in the United States Academic Decathlon,[1] hosts the World Scholar's Cup,[2] and co-operates several study academies around the world. A private company, it was founded in 1994 by now-CEO[3] Daniel Berdichevsky.[4]

History

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the United States Academic Decathlon had few third-party companies that produced study materials for students, and individual teams had to do most of the research themselves.[5][6] After setting an individual scoring record in the 1993–94 season and winning the National Championship,[7] Berdichevsky along with teammate Andrew Salter decided to address this vacuum by creating study guides and practice examinations for the next season.[8][9]

Berdichevsky had been part of the Taft High School Academic Decathlon program in the 1992–93 season, but had felt "too scared of giving a speech" that year to compete.[8] The following year, he assumed the role of team captain and joined his teammates in winning the National Championship under the leadership of their coach Art Berchin.[7] The individual scoring record Berdichevsky set that year remained unbroken until 2008, when Isabel Salovaara of Whitney Young High School in Illinois earned 9,300 points, surpassing Berdichevsky's record by a small margin of three points.[10][11]

The study guides and resources Berdichevsky and Salter developed in their first year were limited, but enthusiasm for the venture was evidenced by the fact that it earned $20,000 in 5 months.[8][9][12] When their coach Berchin joined them the following year, DemiDec gained more stability and determined to continue the project.[8]

Within two years' time, the company had largely evolved into its current form, relying on "a network of former Decathletes, curriculum experts and experienced writers" to create a study course that includes both content and assessment materials and is known for its student-centered and engaging style.[8] The company annually releases a host of materials for Academic Decathlon competitors and coaches, including "Resource Guides," "Power Guides," "Cram Kits," flashcards,[3] quizzes, and sequenced examinations.[8] The materials are generally released in the summer after having been approved by "Beta testers," usually experienced Decathletes.[13][14]

World Scholar's Cup

Daniel Berdichevsky speaking at the 2009 World Scholar's Cup finals

In 2006, citing disappointment that the United States Academic Decathlon ended at just a national level, Berdichevsky created the global academic competition the World Scholar's Cup.

The World Scholar's Cup spans six subjects: science, history, literature, art/music, social studies, and a special area.[2] At the competition, students participate in four events that encompass all six subjects: a curriculum-based debate, an essay, a multiple-choice test, and the "Scholar's Bowl," a live tournament in which team members collaborate to answer questions.[2]

Teams consist of either two or three students and can represent their school, multiple schools, or even whole countries.[15] The culmination of the annual competition is held in one of the competing countries.[16][17] Besides DemiDec, companies that sponsor the World Scholar's Cup include FunnelBrain and iClicker.[18]

Study Academies

DemiDec also operates a number of academies in South Korea. Their programs prepare students in variety of subjects, with a special focus on SAT Preparation for Korean students interested in studying in America.[19][20][21]

References

  1. ↑ "Academic Decathlon Curriculum by DemiDec". DemiDec Resources. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 "DemiDec Presents The World Scholar's Cup:". DemiDec Resources. Archived from the original on October 3, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "FunnelBrain and DemiDec Partner to Bring Academic Decathlon Flashcards Online". Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. Los Angeles, California: PRWeb. June 3, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Meet the DemiDec Team". DemiDec Resources. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  5. ↑ Wolcott, Holly J. (February 7, 2000). "Simi High Advances to State Contest in Academic Decathlon; Education: Defending national champion Moorpark High places second at county level, but may compete further as a wild-card selection". Los Angeles Times. p. B9.
  6. ↑ Hetzner, Amy (March 11, 2000). "Waukesha's Catholic Memorial makes it a four-peat in Academic Decathlon, School sets state record for points, looks forward to national competition". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  7. 1 2 Goldman, Abigail (April 18, 1994). "Taft High Wins 2nd Academic Decathlon" (fee required). Los Angeles Times. p. A1 (Metro). Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Berdichevsky, Daniel. "The DemiDec Story". Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  9. 1 2 Guzman, Isaac (December 18, 1994). "Duo With All the Answers Share Secrets Education: High school Academic Decathlon champions graduate to more lucrative trade by selling practice exams for the elite competition. But some customers say that the pair didn't do their homework". Los Angeles Times. pp. B1. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  10. ↑ Lowrey, Brandon (February 8, 2009). "Students flex at Academic Decathlon QUIZ: Marshall takes top spot El Camino Real and Palisades tie for 2nd-place honors". Daily News. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved June 6, 2009.
  11. ↑ Bakkalis, Anna (2008-04-28). "Moorpark team vies in Academic Decathlon". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on 2008-08-29.
  12. ↑ Guzman, Isaac (December 11, 1994). "Smart Money Ex-Academic Decathlon Champs Cashing In on Practice Exams". Los Angeles Times. pp. B1. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Beta Test". Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  14. ↑ Schaffer, Dean; Daniel Berdichevsky; Bunnie Hadsall. "Facebook: DemiDec Beta Testing 2009-2010". DemiDec, on Facebook. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  15. ↑ "The World Scholar's Cup". DemiDec Resources. World Scholar's Cup. Archived from the original on July 29, 2009. Retrieved June 7, 2009. Students compete in teams of two or three.
  16. ↑ Parker, Ray (April 20, 2009). "Mountain View students headed to academic world final". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  17. ↑ Ringle, Hayley (May 5, 2008). "Q.C. board weighs Korean trip for scholars". East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on May 5, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  18. ↑ "The World Scholar's Cup - Sponsors". DemiDec Resources. World Scholar's Cup. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  19. ↑ "DemiDec partners with YBM in South Korea" (in Korean). YBM/Si-sa. September 18, 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  20. ↑ "데미덱 한국에 SAT TOEFL 전문 어학원 개원" (in Korean). YBM/Si-sa. December 28, 2007. Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  21. ↑ "demidec" (in Korean). DemiDec Resources. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
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