DCPS Schools Expand Math Program That Helped Triple Growth in Math Scores

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- District of Columbia Public Schools using the ST Math program in blended learning environments saw triple growth on math proficiency compared to other DCPS schools, according to an analysis released today by the district and MIND Research Institute. The announcement was made at a school celebration for a grant from Hyundai Motor America that expands MIND's ST Math program to 10 more DCPS schools this year.

"We're thrilled Hyundai is expanding ST Math to 10 additional schools," said Brian Pick, Chief of Teaching and Learning at DCPS, at the event. "The success we've seen so far will now impact even more students."

MIND's report evaluated DC Comprehensive Assessment System math scores of 1,135 third, fourth and fifth graders at 17 DCPS campuses fully implementing ST Math for two years, and found that those schools experienced a 19 point gain in percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in math since 2012. DCPS schools that had similar 2012 math performance but didn't use ST Math experienced a 5.2 percentage point gain over the two years. These results mirror an analysis done in 2013, where growth among ST Math schools was also triple the rate of non-ST Math schools in DC.

As a social benefit organization, MIND works with funding partners to bring ST Math to more high-needs schools. Hyundai Motor America, which previously helped fund ST Math for two DC schools, is expanding to 10 more schools this year, including The School Without Walls @ Francis Stevens, where hundreds of students, educators and community members gathered today to celebrate. The Hyundai grant is expected to positively impact 2,666 students and 140 teachers during the 2014-2015 school year at the following additional schools:  Brookland Education Campus @ Bunker Hill, Burroughs Education Campus, Burrville Elementary, Cleveland Elementary, Langdon Education Campus, Moten Elementary, Murch Elementary, Thomas Elementary and Tyler Elementary.

"Hyundai is committed to helping schools improve graduation rates as well as building an inclusive new generation of critical thinkers and innovators," said Zafar Brooks, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Inclusion at Hyundai Motor America. "After seeing the proven impact on students brought about by our partnership with MIND Research Institute and DC Public Schools, we're excited to help expand the ST Math program here."

Developed by neuroscientists, MIND's ST Math instructional software program provides visual, computer-based math games that support deep understanding of concepts covered by DC math standards at each grade level. Because the program doesn't rely on language proficiency or prior math success, it's accessible for English Language Learners and children with learning disabilities. Students use ST Math on computers or tablet devices in a blended learning environment. The teachers are trained on how to connect the visual puzzles to their conventional symbolic texts, and coached on how to guide children through challenging sections by getting them to express their thinking, rather than simply showing them the solution. In numerous analyses over the years, schools using ST Math have experienced two to three times the growth in math proficiency compared to similar schools not using the program.

"For the second year in a row, the results at D.C. schools using ST Math have been outstanding, and we're deeply grateful to the teachers who embraced ST Math as a way to provide deeper, conceptual learning for their students," said Andrew R. Coulson, chief strategist at MIND Research, who led the data evaluation. "And it's thanks to committed partners like Hyundai Motor America that we're on our way to achieving our mission of ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world's most challenging problems."

About the Hyundai ST Math Initiative
The Hyundai ST Math Initiative benefits over 11,500 students and 550 teachers in Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Orange County, CA; Washington, D.C.; New York City, NY; Spring, TX; and Pinellas, FL. Early math skills are proven to be the number one predictor of later academic success and high school graduation. To improve the pipeline of college-ready graduates, Hyundai Motor America is providing grants to high-need schools across the nation to provide unique research-based ST Math programs, teacher professional development and ongoing educational support. Follow the partnership's success using hashtag #HyundaiLovesJiJi.

About MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social benefit nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world's most challenging problems. MIND's distinctive visual approach to math and problem-solving is the basis of its innovative, research-proven ST Math® programs for elementary and secondary schools. The visually-based ST Math program has been shown to double or triple schools' growth rates in math proficiency. MIND's programs currently reach 800,000 students and 31,000 teachers in 2,500 schools in 40 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.org.

About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit  www.HyundaiAssurance.com

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