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Taunton Public School Students Achieve Higher Math Scores With Everyday Mathematics

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 15:00 CDT

TAUNTON, Mass., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Since Everyday Mathematics from Wright Group/McGraw-Hill has been implemented district-wide in Grades K-6 in the Taunton Public Schools, math scores have consistently improved. As a result, Taunton is now ranked No. 2 in math among 22 urban school districts in the state and is one of only three Massachusetts urban school districts in 2007 to make Adequate Yearly Progress two years in a row under No Child Left Behind.

During the 2006-2007 school year, an impressive 64% of Grade 4 students scored proficient or above in mathematics on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), up from 29% prior to the adoption of Everyday Mathematics in 2001 for Grades K-5.

Administrators were so pleased with the initial success of the program that it was later adopted for Grade 6 in 2005. Scores for Grade 6 also skyrocketed. In 2004, before Everyday Math was used, 25% of Grade 6 students scored proficient or above. In 2006, that statistic jumped to 49%.

"We fully expect achievement to continue to climb with help from Everyday Mathematics," said Dr. Arthur Stellar, superintendent of Taunton Public Schools.

Megan Bennett, math coordinator for Taunton Public Schools, said Everyday Mathematics has allowed students in the district to develop a better understanding of mathematics.

After surveying Taunton educators, more than 96% said they endorse Everyday Math. In fact, a team of Grade 2 teachers at Bennett school in the district acknowledged that their students have a greater understanding of math skills from using Everyday Math.

"The hands-on activities including the games are reinforcing," the team said. "The family letters we send home also are beneficial for reinforcement and help for the parents on homework."

About Taunton Public Schools

Serving more than 7,919 students in Grades K-12, this district's student population is 78% Caucasian, 10% Hispanic, 7% African American, less than 1% Asian/Pacific Islander, less than 1% Native American and 3% unspecified. Thirty-eight percent of Taunton students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. For more information on Taunton Public Schools, please visit http://www.tauntonschools.org/.

About Everyday Mathematics

Wright Group/McGraw-Hill's Everyday Mathematics is the nation's leading standards-based elementary mathematics program for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6. Everyday Mathematics celebrated 20 years of teaching success in 2005. The program helps student measure up to the demand for greater mathematical competence and problem-solving ability. Developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, the research-based curriculum is used in nearly 185,000 classrooms across the United States by more than 3 million children.

The third edition was recently launched and offers more support for learning differences, extra help for English-language learners, enhanced assessment and new support for the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten mathematics classrooms. The third edition also features new technology components to support teachers and students.

Visit http://www.everydaymathsuccess.com/ to read about the program's efficacy and see http://www.wrightgroup.com/parent_connection/index.html for parent resources.

About Wright Group/McGraw-Hill

Wright Group/McGraw-Hill publishes innovative core and supplemental literacy and mathematics programs for differentiated instruction and teacher training in Grades Pre-K-8. The research-based approach is anchored in real-world applications and is based on the assessed needs of students, combining developmentally appropriate materials with explicit outcomes.

Wright Group is part of McGraw-Hill Education, a leading global provider of instructional, assessment and reference solutions that empower the success of professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 40 languages. Additional information is available at http://www.mheducation.com/. For more information on Wright Group's products, call 1-800-648-2970 or visit http://www.wrightgroup.com/.

Contact: Tom Stanton Melina Metzger McGraw-Hill Education Paul Werth Associates (212) 904-3214 (614) 224-8114 Ext. 236 tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com mmetzger@paulwerth.com

Wright Group/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Tom StantonMcGraw-Hill Education+1-212-904-3214tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.comMelina MetzgerPaul Werth Associates,+1-614-224-8114 Ext. 236mmetzger@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.tauntonschools.org/http://www.everydaymathsuccess.com/http://www.wrightgroup.com/Parent_Connection/index.htmlhttp://www.mheducation.com/http://www.wrightgroup.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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