Program Description
ST Math is a supplemental online approach that provides students with a year-long curriculum of games featuring visual interactive animated puzzles. ST Math progress requires 60-90 minutes of usage each week.
Program Outcomes
The impact of ST Math has been evaluated in four studies; 2 retrospective and 2 cluster-randomized. The two retrospective studies involved students using ST Math in grades 2-5 in over 800 schools and compared their math achievement to students exposed to business-as-usual teaching in over 500 schools. Results were stronger for students in the ST Math schools. The first cluster-randomized study took place in 34 low-performing elementary schools in Southern California and results after one year showed ST Math students outperforming students in non-ST Math schools (effect size = +0.09), after two years the results were less robust (effect size = +0.03). The second cluster-randomized trial took place with third through fifth grade students in 52 high-poverty schools, 86% FRPL, 85% Hispanic, 56% ELL, in 10 districts in Southern California. ST Math schools demonstrated small but statistically significant gains in mathematics achievement (effect size = +0.04), qualifying ST Math for an ESSA Tier 1 (Strong Evidence) rating.
Across all the studies, the average effect size = +0.07.
Staffing Requirements
The program is designed for use by existing general ed teachers, or math specialists. The program is designed to be used during regular school instructional time-no additional staff time is required.
Professional Development/Training
MIND Research Institute provides initial professional development to participating teachers. Self-guided online training covers technical aspects of the program, including startup, teacher and student navigation, and reporting. Subsequent to these technical aspects and startup additional professional development and courses cover the research basis and pedagogical aspects of the ST Math visual/conceptual approach, content instructional strategies, and student support best practices.
In order to receive the level of professional development and support provided to ST Math teachers in the successful research on the program, schools should provide on-site first-year training of 4-5 hours and receive building-level ongoing support for each year of implementation. These services are included in the student and building pricing from MIND.
Technology
Technology requirements are any modern device and O/S from desktops to Chromebooks to tablets (except smartphone screen size is too small for interactivity).