Washington, D.C., Jan 22, 2013 Hyundai Motor America, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), and the education non-profit MIND Research Institute today announced a partnership that aims to boost DCPS students’ math skills and put them on track to becoming tomorrow’s highly skilled workers. Students, teachers and community leaders were on hand at Leckie Elementary school to celebrate the announcement.
“Hyundai is dedicated to helping children gain the skills they will need to compete in a 21st century workforce,” said Zafar Brooks, Director Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Inclusion, Hyundai Motor America. “Our partnership with MIND Research Institute and DCPS brings a proven program in Spatial Temporal (ST) Math so that more children have the problem-solving and reasoning skills necessary for success.”
This is Hyundai’s latest ST Math® Lab grant serving children across the country, including students in the third, fourth and fifth grades at both Leckie Elementary and Hearst Elementary, with MIND Research Institute’s cutting-edge digital math education program. Previous Hyundai ST Math Lab grants were presented to schools in East Los Angeles and Fountain Valley, CA. Students and teachers using the ST Math program have on average doubled students’ growth in math proficiency on state math tests. The program introduces math concepts via visual puzzles, with symbols and words being introduced gradually, making the program equally accessible and challenging for all students, regardless of language proficiency. The ST Math Lab is a part of Hyundai’s larger educational initiative to improve education success rates.
“Our students deserve the highest quality education, including access to innovative programs that deliver proven results,” said Dr. Carey Wright, Chief Academic Officer of DCPS. “We are pleased to partner with community supporters like Hyundai to be able to provide these schools with the ST Math program, which has been embraced by teachers and students alike.” Leckie and Hearst Elementary are among the 31 schools participating in the DC Math Initiative, launched by MIND Research Institute in 2012 and funded through philanthropic donations such as Hyundai’s.
Approximately 775 students at the schools will have access to the ST Math instructional software program; teachers will receive professional development; and both schools will have access to ongoing educational support throughout the year. Following a blended learning model, students will learn through visual puzzles that are the hallmark of ST Math in computer labs. Then their teachers will connect the puzzles to math concepts in the classroom lessons.
“We have developed an approach that provides all learners with the deep conceptual understanding in math that is critical to success in today’s knowledge-driven economy,” said Andrew R. Coulson, president of MIND’s education division. “Visionary community and corporate partners like Hyundai and school districts like DCPS are crucial to being able to put a research-based tool into the classrooms so that students can gain the skills they need.”
Research by the University of California, Irvine shows that early math skills are the key predictor of later academic success and increase graduation rates. Moreover, math literacy is essential for students entering 21st century jobs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – also known as “STEM” fields.
MIND’s ST Math program is already used by 475,000 students and 16,000 teachers in 1,375 schools in 26 states in the United States.
About Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Costa Mesa, 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 warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
For more information contact:
Abby Daniels
949-345-8637
adaniels@mindresearch.net
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