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First-of-Its-Kind Elementary School Math Curriculum Meets the iPod Generation on Its Turf

enVisionMATH Combines Digital Animations, Visual Learning to Build Innovative Program for 21st Century Learners

Centered on Conceptual Development, Reasoning, and Teaching Problem-Solving Skills

New York, NY. – Jan. 22, 2008 / PRNewswire / – America's students are growing up in a digital world of iPods, the Internet, instant messaging and computer games, but, until now, they have all been "powering down" when they enter the classroom. Today, with Pearson's launch of enVisionMATH, schools can offer elementary students a program that meets them on their own turf, with a curriculum that combines visual animation and next-generation technologies to engage and entertain students while providing a comprehensive foundation in math skills that will prepare them for success in the 21st century economy.

Debuting at the Florida Educational Technology Conference (FETC) in Orlando this week, enVisionMATH was developed by Scott Foresman and the nation's top math experts in conceptual development, problem-solving and visual learning instructional strategies in collaboration with classroom teachers. Four years in the making, enVisionMATH is a research-based program that blends visual animations and compelling graphic text centered on conceptual understanding and helping students develop their reasoning ability for problem-solving – the critical foundation for higher level math they will need to succeed in college and in their careers, according to enVisionMATH author Dr. Randy Charles, Professor Emeritus, Department of Mathematics, San Jose State University, and past Vice President of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.

With its engaging graphics and compelling animations, teachers can easily personalize enVisionMATH instruction for all students regardless of learning style or special needs. The program also has specific components – including the visual and interactive learning components – designed for those students who are learning basic English at the same time they are learning math.

Published in both English and Spanish, enVisionMATH's strong, visual learning design includes a Visual Learning Bridge in each lesson, with step-by-step visuals that bridge the gap between the interactive learning activity and guided practice. "With the digital Visual Learning Animations, the concepts come alive for students," said Dr. Charles. He added, "Through its print and digital Visual Learning Bridge, enVisionMATH allows elementary math teachers to take advantage of all teachable moments and help students build conceptual understanding and reasoning as well as problem-solving skills."

In 2008, U.S. states and school districts will invest more than $650 million in elementary mathematics programs. Yet, recent studies conducted by the National Council on Educational Statistics (NCES), as well as the noted Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), reveal that U.S. students continue to lag behind in international comparisons of mathematics achievement. enVisionMATH is aimed at reversing these results.

Skip Fennell, President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, has said that the country today is faced with the mixed message of the highest mathematics scores in history on the 4th and 8th grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which may or may not map onto individual state mathematics proficiency levels, and the increasing need to develop the most foundational mathematics concepts and skills prior to student entrée to higher level mathematics at the high school, or increasingly, middle school level."

Visual learning expert Stuart J. Murphy, author of the award-winning children's MathStart book series that presents mathematical concepts in the context of stories, guided the development of the print and online Visual Learning Bridge for enVisionMATH. Murphy has devoted his entire career to exploring how students acquire information from visual stimuli such as graphs, charts, diagrams, models, illustrations and photos. "When you put verbal information together with visual presentations and add mathematical concepts, it leads to comprehension for all students," said Murphy. "And that is what enVisionMATH is all about."

This first-of-its kind standards-based curriculum blending digital and print content includes daily differentiated instruction and was developed in collaboration with a team of math teachers. In response to teachers' demands, the program is organized into 20 focused topics at each grade level using a revolutionary, easy-to-use teaching system that places all of the materials for each topic in one place. Animated topic tutorials, video topic openers, whiteboard-ready resources, eTools and online editions help students of all learning styles and abilities access content and allow teachers to easily customize instruction. With assessment and prescriptions embedded throughout enVisionMATH, teachers can individualize instruction for students, ensuring they grasp each concept before moving on to the next lesson.

For more information or to see a demo of enVisionMATH, go to www.enVisionMATH.com

About Pearson

Pearson (NYSE: PSO) is the global leader in educational publishing, assessment, information and services, helping people of all ages to learn at their own pace, in their own way. For students preK-12, Pearson provides effective and innovative curriculum products in all available media, educational assessment and measurement for students and teachers, student information systems, and teacher professional development and certification programs. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, AGS, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker, TeacherVision and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.