HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Oct. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Beach City School District, Chevron and the non-profit MIND Research Institute today announced a public-private partnership that's expanding a proven computer-based math program, featuring a penguin named JiJi, to all of its schools. Chevron executives presented a $92,500 check to district leaders at a celebration this morning at Hawes Elementary.
Blended learning, which is gaining popularity nationwide, uses self-paced, computer-based learning to augment traditional teaching methods. Some Huntington Beach schools already use the ST Math instructional software in a blended learning environment to create a deeper understanding of math concepts. The Chevron grant, combined with district funding, enables the expansion of the ST Math program to all of HBCSD's schools – reaching a total of more than 7,000 students at nine elementary and middle schools. The grant provides MIND Research's visually based ST Math instructional software, teacher training and year-round educational support to the schools.
"Chevron is committed to supporting schools in our community and especially preparing them for success in science, technology, engineering and math," said Hector Infante, Public and Government Affairs Manager at Chevron. "Over the years, we've been impressed with the impact MIND Research Institute's ST Math program has had at schools throughout Orange County, so we're excited to continue expanding our partnership."
Research shows that early math skills are the number one predictor of later academic success, high school graduation rates and college matriculation. The ST Math program has been proven to double students' growth in math proficiency.
"We're grateful for Chevron's generosity in helping us expand the successful ST Math program," said Gregg Haulk, Superintendent of Huntington Beach City School District. "It's great to see our students become confident problem solvers, who not only excel in math but learn to love it."
With this new grant, Chevron's total giving to support MIND Research Institute's programs exceeds $775,000.
"Our work wouldn't be possible without partners like Chevron and Huntington Beach City Schools who share our vision of transforming math education," said Matthew Peterson, Ph.D., co-founder and chief operating officer of MIND Research. "Together, we're making a meaningful impact on students lives today and preparing them for a future full of opportunities and success."
MIND's ST Math program provides visual, computer-based math games that support deep understanding of concepts covered by California math standards at each grade level. Because the program doesn't rely on language proficiency or prior math proficiency, it's accessible for English Language Learners and children with learning disabilities. Students use ST Math for 45 minutes on the computer, twice a week under their teacher's supervision, in a blended learning environment. The teachers are trained on how to connect the visual puzzles to their conventional symbolic texts, and coached on how to guide children through challenging sections by getting them to express their thinking, rather than simply showing them the solution.
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
About MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is an education nonprofit 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. MIND's programs currently reach over 500,000 students and 21,000 teachers in more than 1,780 schools in 30 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.net.
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