Irvine, Calif., Feb 18, 2015 The nonprofit MIND Research Institute is expanding its highly effective math program to meet the growing need for transitional kindergarten curriculum in California. ST Math®: Transitional Kindergarten is a blended learning program including math software, classroom materials and step-by-step teacher’s manuals.
Research shows early math skills are the best predictor of later academic success, and ST Math: K-6, which teaches math without words, has proven repeatedly to double or triple growth in math proficiency on state tests.
The new ST Math program aims to expand that success to reach TK, which is available to four-year-olds in some California public schools the year before they become eligible to enroll in kindergarten.
“If we’re going to equip all students with the mathematical skills to solve the world’s most challenging problems, we have to start laying the foundation for mathematical thinking in early childhood,” said Matthew Peterson, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of MIND Research Institute. “So often we talk about algebra as the stumbling block, but research shows many students falter before then because they struggle with number sense and basic math skills.”
ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten was piloted for four years at schools in Orange and Los Angeles Counties that already used ST Math in elementary grades. Data from the transitional kindergarten programs at those schools was collected over the years to inform improvements to the curriculum and ensure it effectively improved the students’ math proficiency.
The program covers algebraic thinking, geometry, numbers & operations, counting & cardinality, measurement & data.
“If young children do not have access to TK programs of high quality, this extra year will only reinforce the educational gap so often associated with young and disadvantaged children,” said Cindy Olivas, Ed.D., an Associate Professor of Education and Interim Program Chair of the Undergraduate Child Development Program at University of La Verne.
ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten offers a complete, high-quality blended learning math solution for TK classrooms, combining the signature ST Math software program with classroom aids, age-appropriate manipulatives, and parental involvement.
ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten program includes:
• ST Math software featuring JiJi the penguin in visually-based animated puzzles
• Teacher-guided activities
• Storybook
• Posters featuring mathematical chants and songs
• Manipulatives and work mats
• Print-outs to involve parents in making math learning connections at home.
MIND Research provides professional development to TK teachers, in the form of self-paced online classes, webinars and in-person training.
The ST Math: Transitional Kindergarten program is now available for schools to begin using in the 2015-16 school year.
MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social benefit organization, dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems. MIND's distinctive visual approach to math and problem-solving is the basis of its innovative, research-proven ST Math® programs for elementary and secondary schools. The visually-based ST Math program has been shown to double or triple schools’ growth rates in math proficiency. MIND's programs currently reach 800,000 students and 31,000 teachers in 2,500 schools in 40 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.org.
Media Contact:
Christine Byrd
MIND Research Institute
949-345-8636
cbyrd@mindresearch.org
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