Cohort of Florida Students Shows Dramatic Improvements in Math Proficiency

ORLANDO, FL, July 21, 2012 (Press-News.org) Orlando students using MIND Research Institute's ST Math scored significantly higher on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) 2.0 in the 2011/12 school year compared to similar schools not using the blended learning program.

ST Math provides math instructional software that covers Florida math standards at each grade level in a yearlong curriculum of interactive and animated visual puzzles and games. The program involves an comprehensive process of implementation, including professional development, training, self-paced games, and more.

Performance changes were evaluated among students who began the 2011/12 school year in levels three, four, and five. The grades implementing ST Math on average grew 9.0 points in the percentage of students at level 3 or above, as compared to an average increase of 3.0 points for the comparison group.

1,417 students enrolled in the program from 15 schools in grades three through five were analyzed in the report. These students were compared to similarly performing schools not using ST Math in Orange and Seminole counties.

According to the Florida Department of Education's website, there are 5 math achievement levels in FCAT 2.0:

Level 1: Inadequate.
Level 2: Below satisfactory
Level 3: Satisfactory.
Level 4: Above satisfactory.
Level 5: Mastery of the most challenging content.

Andrew R. Coulson, President of the Education Division at MIND, said, "We are gratified to see ST Math's continued pattern of robust success at scale in cities across the nation, now including Orlando."

The MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education research-based, non-profit corporation. MIND applies its distinctive visual approach to illustrating math concepts and building problem-solving skills as the basis for innovative, research-proven math education programs for elementary and secondary schools. MIND's programs currently reach over 475,000 students and 16,000 teachers in more than 1,375 schools in 26 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.net.