Online program boosts math scores at Jane Phillips Elementary
A simple math intervention tool raised math proficiency scores at Jane Phillips Elementary School to above pre-pandemic levels, LaDonna Chancellor, executive director of teaching and learning for the Bartlesville Public School District, said. The intervention tool is an online program called ST Math.
Chancellor reported the rising math scores during the Jan. 16 school board meeting, which coincided with a professional development day for school staff. Elementary teachers were given further training on ST Math that day.
“Jane Phillips math test scores – they really believe are fully a result of kids spending the recommended time a week on ST Math,” Chancellor told the school board.
ST Math is a visual math learning tool implemented by the school district in 2020. The “ST” stands for “spatial-temporal”.
Students see it as a math game, but the intuitive program adapts to each student’s learning level. Visual puzzles ensure students have a conceptual understanding of math rather than focusing on memorizing facts.
“Kids must work through the process, but that’s how they learn and retain it,” Chancellor said.
Students throughout the district experienced sharp dips in math and reading proficiency during the coronavirus pandemic, with more students learning online, more absences and other interrupted learning.
Before the pandemic in 2018, the Jane Phillips student body was slightly below proficiency standards, so teachers spent time targeting reading. There was not enough time, however, for additional math interventions.
During the 2021-2022 school year and continuing this year, Jane Phillips students spent extra time on ST Math. The responsive program adjusts to each student’s learning level, prodding them into “productive struggle,” Chancellor said. “This is the sweet spot for learning.”
This means the program provides challenges just above a student’s learning level, so their learning abilities are stretched, but not so much that the program is too challenging. This form of learning is more productive than being given the correct answer.
Teachers use their time differently in each classroom, but some found that the downtime after breakfast worked well, since students at Jane Phillips Elementary eat breakfast in their classrooms. As they finish eating, students can log into ST Math until class begins.
The addition of the ST Math learning tool helped raise overall math scores at Jane Phillips above 2018 levels for 4th and 5th graders.
No other math interventions have been used, which is why Chancellor attributes the improvement all to ST Math. Scores are now above state proficiency levels, putting the district on track to meet ambitious federal proficiency levels set for 2032.
The supplemental program is funded by Phillips 66.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Online program boosts math scores at Jane Phillips Elementary
