Mass STEM Hub and MIND Research Institute Partnership will provide visual instructional math program
Lawrence, MA (June 28, 2018) – Community Day Charter Public Schools (CDCPS) were selected to join the ST Math Massachusetts Program. The program, developed by Mass STEM Hub, the One8 Foundation and MIND Research Institute, will enable 54 schools to launch or expand their use of ST Math. CDCPS launched ST Math on a limited basis in the 2017-18 school year and will expand implementation over the next three years.
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.
"CDCPS is excited to be able to continue our partnership with ST Math through this grant. Our experience with ST Math shows us that this standards-aligned, visual learning model has created new opportunities for students to think and problem solve creatively," said CDCPS Director of Operations Brent Merten. We have a very high level of student engagement and the program truly moves to meet the needs of individual students. As students progressed through the curriculum, we noticed an increase in student confidence and conceptual understanding. ST Math is a great compliment to our math program and we are thrilled to provide this opportunity for our students."
CDCPS submitted to a competitive and rigorous multistep application process. As a program member, the school will not only have access to ST Math, but to additional support and features including:
- School grants to support adoption
- Additional professional development opportunities
- Personalized support from dedicated ST Math team members
- Access to enhanced student and teacher dashboards
- Cohort events to support best practice sharing and networking
"We are excited to be partnering with MIND to support teachers and students as they implement high-quality math programming in the Commonwealth," said Katherine Skrivan, Mass STEM Hub Director. "Through our close work with schools, we will provide implementation support and work to build a network of schools where collaboration and peer learning drives innovation for students."
Brett Woudenberg, MIND Research Institute Chief Executive Officer, added, "Over the next decade, STEM jobs in Massachusetts are predicted to grow at twice the rate of non-STEM jobs. We want students to be prepared for those opportunities. Based on the schools that have already adopted ST Math in Massachusetts, it's apparent that state educators are committed to providing students with the tools needed for success. We are extremely grateful to Mass STEM Hub for their support in furthering our mission, and to the One8 Foundation for the funding to make this program possible."
About Community Day Charter Public Schools
Community Day Charter Public Schools (CDCPS) are a network of public charter schools in Lawrence, Massachusetts that serve students in Kindergarten through grade 8. The schools offer safe, supportive, structured learning environments in which students thrive. An extended day and small classes with support for English language learners yield outstanding academic results. We strive to celebrate our city's rich cultural heritage and the vibrancy it brings to our schools. The CDCPS network of schools, managed by The Community Group, currently consists of CDCPS-Gateway, CDCPS-Prospect, and CDCPS-R. Kingman Webster. For more information, visit thecommunitygroupinc.org.
About Mass STEM Hub
Mass STEM Hub's mission is to provide schools with access to and support for the next level of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming that engages students, while giving them skills to succeed in the high-tech, fast-changing world we live in. Mass STEM Hub (a project of the One8 Foundation), scours the country to find best-in-class programs and helps make them a reality for our schools in Massachusetts. Learn more at mass-stemhub.org.
About MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social impact organization, dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world's most challenging problems. MIND is the creator of ST Math®, a visual instructional program that builds deep conceptual understanding of math through rigorous and creative problem solving to engage, motivate, and challenge Pre-K-8 students toward higher achievement. ST Math incorporates the latest in learning and the brain, promoting mastery-based learning and mathematical understanding. Longitudinal and broad-based studies across diverse population groups continue to demonstrate ST Math's efficacy in building lifelong learners prepared for success in STEM fields. ST Math currently reaches more than 1.2 million students and 54,000 teachers at 3,900 schools in 47 states. For more information, visit stmath.com.