Greenwood Students Achieve Significantly Higher Math Scores With Everyday Mathematics

Success was immediate for students in the Greenwood Public School District once Everyday Mathematics from Wright Group/McGraw-Hill was implemented in fall 2006 in Grades K-6. After only one year with the program, students scored significantly higher on the math portion of the Benchmark Exam, especially in Grade 6, where students achieved a 21-percentile point increase.

Gena Anderson, K-7 Instructional Facilitator for Mathematics, said two of the program's components are the keys to success: the spiraling curriculum and games.

"The spiraling curriculum ensures students are exposed to concepts over and over," she explained. "Even after a concept is taught, there are several times throughout the year that students are given opportunities to re-visit those skills. The games are essential too. One second-grade teacher told me she was amazed how important the games are to reinforce concepts, like math facts."

Anderson said teachers are also amazed by how much students retain over the summer. "One fourth-grade teacher said she was so impressed her students retained an understanding of operations over the summer. They had learned the alternative algorithm in third grade, yet their overall understanding had improved a great deal. The longer we teach Everyday Mathematics, the greater decrease we expect to see in the summer lag," she added.

Anderson said another reason the program is running so smoothly is because the district provides incredible ongoing professional development and support.

"I know this is the reason why the curriculum is succeeding so well," she said. "If a teacher needs anything, such as additional materials, the district responds immediately. Our teachers know we support them 100% and will go above and beyond to help them implement the program with fidelity. Our kids are the ultimate winners."

About the Greenwood Public Schools

Serving more than 3,200 students in Grades Pre-K-12, this district's student population is 93% Caucasian, 3% Native American, 2% Hispanic, 1% Asian, and 1% multicultural. Twenty-three percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. For more information about Greenwood Public Schools, visit www.greenwoodsd.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.

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 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

SOURCE: Wright Group/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Tom Stanton
McGraw-Hill Education
+1-212-904-3214
tom_stanton@mcgraw-hill.com
or
Melina Metzger
Paul Werth Associates
+1-614-224-8114 Ext. 236
mmetzger@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/
http://www.wrightgroup.com/
http://www.greenwoodsd.org/