Philadelphia Schools Solve 238,678,674 Math Problems in Ten Months Through First in Math® Online Program

PHILADELPHIA, June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Suntex International, creators of the First in Math, Online Program, today announced students in the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) have solved a total of 238,678,674 problems in just ten months. With help from First in Math, provider of game-style activities that provide immediate feedback to participants, the School District of Philadelphia has noted continuous improvement in PA state standardized test scores. Over the nine-year period in which SDP has used First in Math as a supplemental learning program, it has noted a 39.5% total increase, with substantial increases in scores year after year.

To recognize students' achievements, First in Math will be conducting an awards ceremony at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, June 5^th at ENON Tabernacle, 2800 W Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA. The ceremony will recognize some of the districts' biggest achievements including:

• SDP students solved 238,678,674 total math problems this school year alone.
• Baldi Middle School earned the #8 ranking in the U.S. and #2 in Pennsylvania.
• Alyssa Hunter, a sixth grade student in Decatur Elementary School is the top player of the year, finishing fifth in Pennsylvania and seventy in the U.S.
• Wilson Middle School student, Keidi Xhagolli, an eighth grader, came in very close as the second place player.
• District-wide improvements in PSSA (PA state standardized test scores) over the past nine years, an increase from 19.5% of students scoring "proficient and above" in 2002, to 59% of students scoring "proficient and above" in 2011.

Through the First in Math program, students have been encouraged and motivated to practice and improve their math skills both during their free time and school and at home throughout the school year. First In Math is a supplement to curriculum designed to provide the "deep practice" that accelerates mastering the concepts they learn in the classroom. The program includes a friendly competition component, whereby School District of Philadelphia students competed against their classmates, as well as the other 214 participating schools in the district, and 6,000 schools nationwide, for top honors.

"It's been exciting watching Philadelphia students improve their math comprehension scores year after year," said First in Math Ambassador in the greater Philadelphia region, Cred Dobson. "First in Math has played an important roll in getting students to practice mathematics. As we witness test scores improve year after year, we realize what an impact the program is making on the future of thousands of students in Philadelphia."

The First in Math program has already helped millions of students achieve proficiency in basic and advanced math skills in thousands of schools across the country. Numerous school districts have seen standardized test results in math improve dramatically as a result of using the program.

The combination of "deep practice" and immediate feedback is the heart of the First in Math program. This methodology helps students grasp and understand difficult concepts by breaking them down into manageable segments and providing instant feedback to help them make adjustments to their technique to improve their skills, similar to the way students would receive feedback in the physical realm when playing sports, for example. First in Math provides this vital feedback loop that's missing from most curricula. The game-style format engages students so they willingly spend many more hours a week practicing math.

The program covers the six foundational skills required for advanced mathematics, including basic facts, fractions, decimals, integers, exponents and order of operations. Students play the wide variety of games—during free time at school and by logging in to play from home—earning virtual stickers that accrue like points to their individual, classroom, school and district-wide score. The friendly competition, makes for a lively, motivating experience that not only engages students in math practice, but can actually further enhance the overall culture of success at the school.

First in Math is entirely web-based, which means that students can practice math skills from anywhere with an Internet connection. This affordable program also includes teacher tools to help students get started, track individual student progress, and keep them motivated throughout the school year. 

For more information about the First in Math Online Program, visit www.firstinmath.com.

About First in Math
First in Math is a dynamic, self-paced online program that helps students in grades K-8 master basic through advanced math skills through the use of engaging, exciting game-based activities. Developed and distributed by Suntex International, First in Math uses deep practice techniques and instant feedback to supplement the classroom curriculum and motivate students to practice math in the same way they practice sports, music or other activities they enjoy. The program is sold to private and public schools and school districts on a per-student annual subscription basis. Suntex is a private company headquartered in Easton, PA. For more information, visit www.firstinmath.com.

SOURCE Suntex International