60 more schools to experience visual instructional mathematics as part of state-level program

Boston, MA, April 23, 2019 – MIND Research Institute, in partnership with Mass STEM Hub, a program of the One8 Foundation, has selected 60 additional Massachusetts schools to build ST Math® programs for all students. The ST Math Massachusetts Program, which seeks to expand high quality elementary math, began initial implementation with 54 schools last year and is continuing to expand.

ST Math is a visual instructional program that builds a deep conceptual understanding of math through rigorous learning and creative problem solving to engage, motivate and challenge PreK-8 students toward higher achievement. In a comparison of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) results from the 2013/14 and 2016/17 school years, ST Math schools that implemented with high fidelity outgrew their counterparts in statewide math performance rank by 7.4 percentile points.

“We are eager and excited to expand the use of ST Math to all elementary classrooms in the district,” said Carolyn Blennau, Director of Technology at Taunton Public Schools. “This fun digital resource has allowed us to empower student agency in a way that builds confidence and growth mindset. ST Math strengthens a student’s conceptual mathematical understanding, provides teachers with the tools necessary to differentiate instruction, and ultimately provides a clear pathway to personalized learning.”

Schools participating in the program will receive access to ST Math as well as ongoing support and resources. This support will ensure teachers are equipped to integrate ST Math into their classrooms in a way that makes the largest impact for students and includes:

• School grants to support adoption
• Additional professional development opportunities
• Personalized support from dedicated ST Math team members
• Cohort events to support best practice sharing and networking

“We are very excited and thankful to be a part of ST Math Massachusetts Program cohort 2,” said Kim Roberts-Morandi, Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at North Adams Public Schools. “Having all elementary school students engage with a consistent, high-interest program is an opportunity to enhance learning in an innovative way.”

The 60 additional schools selected this year bring the total number of participants in the ST Math Massachusetts Program to 114.

“We are excited to work with MIND to welcome the second cohort of Massachusetts ST Math schools,” said Katherine Skrivan, Mass STEM Hub Director. “Through our partnership, we will work closely with educators to ensure they have the resources and support they need to provide high quality programming for their students across the Commonwealth.”

Brett Woudenberg, MIND Research Institute CEO, added, “We’re grateful for the One8 Foundation’s support of MIND Research Institute, and particularly for their continued commitment to solving the nation’s math crisis. Our work together is impacting a socially, economically, and geographically diverse group of students and teachers, and all of them will benefit from deeper, more conceptual learning thanks to the ST Math Massachusetts Program.”