The School District of Philadelphia began using the First In Math® online program in more than 2,600 third- through eighth-grade classrooms throughout the district during the 2003-2004 school year. The first-year implementation of the First In Math® program was a resounding success, with 2004 Pennsylvania State Standard Assessment (PSSA) results showing a significant increase in overall performance in math.
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Preface
The passing of the federal "No Child Left Behind"
legislation has placed urban school administrators under pressure
to ensure that their schools meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in
core subject areas. To make AYP in math during 2003/2004, 35% or
more of a school's student population was required to score at the
"proficient and above" level on state standardized tests. In the
2004/2005 school year, that benchmark becomes 45%.
The School District of Philadelphia used funding from their
Urban Systemic Program (USP) grant for the implementation of a
mathematics intervention to target the needs of its urban
population base. The First In Math® program was used in more than
2,600 third through eighth grade classrooms throughout the district
during the 2003-2004 school year. The program was selected to meet
criteria defined by district CEO, Paul Vallas, that an intervention
program in mathematics must: 1) strengthen basic skills; 2) contain
a technology element; and 3) create competition to motivate
students to achieve. The first-year implementation of the First In
Math® program was a resounding success.
Students in the District logged over 216,000 hours on the First
In Math® site, proving their dedication and willingness to tackle a
range of increasingly challenging math problems from simple
addition through decimals, fractions, exponents and complex
algebra.
The 2004 Pennsylvania State Standard Assessment (PSSA) results
for the School District of Philadelphia showed a significant
increase in overall performance in math. The scores showed a 7.4%
increase in 5th grade students scoring at the proficient and above
level. Improvement among their 8th grade students was a dramatic
11.1% increase. These results placed the district ahead of
Pennsylvania's average increase in scores, a 5.2% in 5th grade
students and a 6.1% increase in 8th grade students.
The First In Math® program, developed by Suntex International
Inc., draws on the company's 16 years of experience in stimulating
the achievement process in mathematics among diverse populations.
The combination of the family of 24® game products with current
technology allowed Suntex to design an online program that has a
proven track record of improving math skills and raising overall
test scores. Suntex provided follow up to ensure materials were
used and the students were receiving all of the incentives set for
each achievement level. Teachers benefited by using the real-time
assessment feature to see which teams/students were using the site,
the percentage of students mastering basic facts, the degree of
students' test preparedness, how far the students in the district
were progressing and more. The online assessment reports allow
teachers to identify which students are struggling and can
intervene significantly earlier than in the past. Educators can
also try out the games for themselves and improve their own
numerical fluency and technology quotient.
Case Histories
Northwest Region. One of the largest regions in the district, it
included 26 schools, 309 classrooms and 8,326 students that were
actively involved in the First In Math® (FIM) program. These
students were among the top performers in the FIM program, having
spent over 30,000 hours on the site. The Northwest Region's PSSA
test scores showed dramatic improvement. 5th grade student scores increased
15.1% (double the district's 7.4% and nearly triple the state's
5.2% increase). 8th grade
student scores increased 16.6% (exceeded the district's
11.1% and was more than 2 1/2 times the state's 6.1% increase).
5th Grade
School District of Philadelphia Northwest Region Schools
2004 - 2003 PSSA Test Scores in Math
| School Name |
% Proficient
& up 2004
|
% Proficient
& up 2003
|
% Change
04 - 03
|
Enrollment
2004
|
# Students
Proficient
and up
2004
|
# Students
Proficient
and up
2003*
|
| Charles W Henry School |
55.4
|
22.1
|
33.3
|
57
|
32
|
13
|
| Cook-Wissahickon School |
69.1
|
60.0
|
9.1
|
59
|
41
|
35
|
| Day Anna B School |
33.4
|
20.8
|
12.6
|
90
|
30
|
19
|
| Dobson James School |
50.0
|
44.1
|
5.9
|
28
|
14
|
12
|
| Edmonds Franklin S School |
55.0
|
29.1
|
25.9
|
106
|
58
|
31
|
| Ellwood School |
46.1
|
40.4
|
5.7
|
87
|
40
|
35
|
| Fitler Academics Plus |
50.9
|
29.0
|
21.9
|
59
|
30
|
17
|
| Houston Henry E School |
33.3
|
18.3
|
15.0
|
82
|
27
|
15
|
| Howe Julia Ward School |
76.8
|
53.5
|
23.3
|
53
|
41
|
28
|
| Jenks John S School |
37.2
|
47.0
|
-9.8
|
53
|
20
|
25
|
| Levering William School |
38.6
|
77.8
|
-39.2
|
47
|
18
|
37
|
| Lingelbach Anna L School |
51.9
|
30.9
|
21.0
|
54
|
28
|
17
|
| McCloskey John F School |
18.4
|
10.8
|
7.6
|
69
|
13
|
7
|
| Mifflin Thomas School |
46.4
|
50.0
|
-3.6
|
30
|
14
|
15
|
| Pennell Joseph School |
29.9
|
7.1
|
22.8
|
84
|
25
|
6
|
| Pennypacker Samuel School |
45.7
|
12.0
|
33.7
|
89
|
41
|
11
|
| Prince Hall |
40.7
|
19.8
|
20.9
|
101
|
41
|
20
|
| Rowen William School |
41.4
|
24.3
|
17.1
|
89
|
37
|
22
|
| Shawmont School |
67.2
|
41.3
|
25.9
|
71
|
48
|
29
|
| Widener Memorial |
33.3
|
0.0
|
33.3
|
8
|
3
|
0
|
| Wister John School |
21.9
|
17.2
|
4.7
|
63
|
14
|
11
|
|
Total Students
|
1379
|
613
|
405
|
|
% Total Students Proficient and up
|
|
44.5
|
29.3
|
|
% Change Regionwide 2004 - 2003
|
|
15.1
|
|
Northwest Region's 15.1 % increase is double the School District
of Philadelphia's increase of 7.4%, and nearly triple the state's
increase of 5.2%. NOTE: LEVERING's 39.2% decrease can be
explained in part to the fact that only 18 of 47 (5th gr) students
were active. LEVERING 5th graders earned only 1,907 total stickers
(106 stickers/student) as compared to EDMONDS 5th graders who
earned 74,641 total stickers (655 stickers/student).
* Assumes the enrollment figures for 2003 are
the same as 2004.
8th Grade
School District of Philadelphia Northwest Region Schools
2004 - 2003 PSSA Test Scores in Math
| School Name |
% Proficient
& up 2004
|
% Proficient
& up 2003
|
% Change
04 - 03
|
Enrollment
2004
|
# Students
Proficient
and up
2004
|
# Students
Proficient
and up
2003*
|
| AMY NW |
32.2
|
18.5
|
13.7
|
92
|
30
|
17
|
| Charles W Henry School |
48.5
|
63.6
|
-15.1
|
70
|
34
|
45
|
| Dobson James School |
61.6
|
31.1
|
30.5
|
41
|
25
|
13
|
| Fitler Academics Plus |
58.5
|
16.9
|
41.6
|
55
|
32
|
9
|
| Hill-Freedman |
84.7
|
43.5
|
41.2
|
79
|
67
|
34
|
| Houston Henry E School |
44.1
|
21.8
|
22.3
|
87
|
38
|
19
|
| Jenks John S School |
55.6
|
48.2
|
7.4
|
57
|
32
|
27
|
| Leeds Morris E MS |
17.5
|
21.3
|
-3.8
|
209
|
37
|
45
|
| Levering William School |
43.3
|
21.5
|
21.8
|
64
|
28
|
14
|
| Mifflin Thomas School |
47.2
|
14.3
|
32.9
|
36
|
17
|
5
|
| Shawmont School |
50.5
|
37.8
|
12.7
|
93
|
47
|
35
|
| Wagner Gen Louis MS |
50.0
|
25.2
|
24.8
|
298
|
149
|
75
|
| Widener Memorial |
14.3
|
0
|
14.3
|
28
|
4
|
0
|
|
Total Students
|
1209
|
539
|
338
|
|
% Total Students Proficient and up
|
|
44.6
|
28.0
|
|
% Change Regionwide 2004 - 2003
|
|
16.6
|
|
Northwest Region's 16.6% increase exceeds the School District of
Philadelphia's increase of 11.1%, and is more than 2 1/2 times the
state's increase of 6.1%.
* Assumes the enrollment figures for 2003 are
the same as 2004.
Schools
5th Grade
Anne Frank Elementary School - 5th grade
students here were ranked #1 in the FIM program for Philadelphia's
Northeast Region and ranked #4 in the district. The school's PSSA
scores jumped 14%, making Frank ES the highest-scoring school in
the Northeast Region with 85.1% of 5th grade students performing at
the proficient and above levels.
Longstreth Elementary School - These
students were ranked #1 in the FIM program for the Southwest Region
and #5 in the district. While only 7.1% of 5th grade students were
proficient in math in the previous school year, students
demonstrated their willingness to work hard in the FIM program, and
reached 38.1% proficient this year (31.0% increase).
Charles Henry School - Ranked #4 in the
Northwest Region in the FIM program, 5th grade students went from
22.1% proficient to 55.4% proficient (33.3% increase).
Prince Hall School - Ranked #2 in the FIM
program in the Northwest Region. 5th grade students achieved a
20.9% improvement, moving from 19.8% the previous year to 40.7%
proficient, in the 2003/2004 year. This effort helped the school
make AYP in math.
Fairhill Elementary School - Ranked #1 in
the FIM program in the Central East Region, 5th grade students
achieved a 24.3% increase in PSSA scores, rising from 30.3% to
54.6% proficient.
8th Grade
Hill-Freedman Middle School - With a
predominantly African American student population, Hill-Freedman is
an excellent example of the First In Math® program's ability to
motivate the desire to excel in a diverse student population. The
school was ranked #3 in the state on the FIM site on May 17th, 2004
when students assembled for an awards ceremony to honor their
achievement. The release of the PSSA test results confirmed an
extraordinary 41.2% improvement among Hill-Freedman's 8th grade
students, 84.7% of who scored at the proficient and above
levels.
Fitler School - Ranked #1 in the FIM program in
the Northwest Region and #6 in the district, these 8th grade
students worked hard and made everyone proud when their test scores
increased 41.6%, taking Fitler from 16.9% proficient the previous
year to 58.5% proficient in 2004.
Conwell Middle School - Located in the Central
East Region of Philadelphia, this school has a large minority
population. Approximately 40% of students were from non-English
speaking homes, whose native languages included not only Spanish,
but also Romanian, Albanian and Haitian dialects. The First In
Math® program motivated Conwell 8th grade students to leave a
"legacy of excellence" upon their graduation. The outcome of their
hard work and dedication were the #1, #2 and #3 statewide ranked
positions for all three 8th grade teams by March of 2004. PSSA test
results again reflected Conwell's achievement with a 25.1% jump
among 8th grade students. 72.2% scored at the proficient and above
levels. A dramatic improvement over the previous year scores at
41.7%. (What makes Conwell's achievement so remarkable is that most
students in this school did not have Internet access at home. These
students made the effort to come to school as early as 6:30 AM to
use the computer lab before class, clearly demonstrating their
commitment to success in the First In Math® Program.)
Reynolds School - Ranked #1 in the FIM program
in the district and the state, these 8th grade students showed a
27.6% improvement. Their hard work took Reynolds from 10.7%
proficient in the previous year to 38.3% proficient this year,
helping the school to achieve AYP for mathematics.
Dobson School - Ranked #6 in the Northwest
Region and #14 for the district in the FIM program, Dobson 8th
grade students achieved a 30.5% improvement from the previous year
PSSA results.
Farrell School - Ranked #1 in FIM in the
Northeast Region and #4 in the district. Farrell's 8th grade
students achieved a 20% improvement in their PSSA results, from 47%
proficient the previous year to 67% proficient in the 2003/2004
year.
5th Grade
School District of Philadelphia
Top 14 Schools in First In Math® Program
2004 - 2003 PSSA Test Scores
FIM
Rank |
School
Name |
Region |
FIM
Stickers/
Student |
FIM
Students
Active |
PSSA
2004 %
Proficient
& up |
PSSA
2003 %
Proficient
& up |
PSSA
2004-2003
% Change |
Enrollment
2004 |
# Students
Proficient
& up 2004 |
# Students
Proficient
& up 2003* |
| 1 |
Pollock |
East |
825 |
70 |
70.5 |
62.5 |
8.0 |
74 |
52 |
46 |
| 2 |
Spruance |
Northeast |
731 |
140 |
53.5 |
50.7 |
2.8 |
145 |
78 |
74 |
| 3 |
Edmonds |
Northwest |
654 |
114 |
55.0 |
29.1 |
25.9 |
106 |
58 |
31 |
| 4 |
Anne Frank |
Northeast |
648 |
156 |
85.1 |
71.1 |
14.0 |
140 |
119 |
100 |
| 5 |
Longstreth |
Southwest |
627 |
84 |
38.1 |
7.1 |
31.0 |
87 |
33 |
6 |
| 6 |
Fox Chase |
Northeast |
538 |
62 |
45.1 |
34.1 |
11.0 |
56 |
25 |
19 |
| 7 |
Comly |
Northeast |
505 |
67 |
61.8 |
50.0 |
11.8 |
70 |
43 |
35 |
| 8 |
Fairhill |
Central East |
499 |
62 |
54.6 |
30.3 |
24.3 |
60 |
33 |
18 |
| 9 |
Prince Hall |
Northwest |
497 |
92 |
40.7 |
19.8 |
20.9 |
101 |
41 |
20 |
| 10 |
Howe |
Northwest |
492 |
51 |
76.8 |
53.5 |
23.3 |
53 |
41 |
28 |
| 11 |
Hancock |
Northeast |
488 |
82 |
82.6 |
65.7 |
16.9 |
72 |
59 |
47 |
| 12 |
Charles Henry |
Northwest |
470 |
54 |
55.4 |
22.1 |
33.3 |
57 |
32 |
13 |
| 13 |
Meredith |
South |
466 |
57 |
65.0 |
45.1 |
19.9 |
58 |
38 |
26 |
| 14 |
Moffet |
Central East |
465 |
76 |
65.0 |
36.6 |
28.4 |
65 |
42 |
24 |
|
TOTAL STUDENTS
|
1144 |
694 |
487 |
|
% Total Students Proficient and Above
|
|
60.7 |
42.6 |
|
% Change of Group 2004 - 2003
|
|
18.1 |
|
The Top 14 First In Math® Schools' 18.1 % increase is nearly 2
1/1 times the School District of Philadelphia's increase of 7.4%,
and is more than triple the state's increase of 5.2%.
8th Grade
School District of Philadelphia
Top 14 Schools in First In Math® Program - 8th Grade
2004 - 2003 PSSA Test Scores
FIM
Rank |
School
Name |
Region |
FIM
Stickers/
Student |
FIM
Students
Active |
PSSA
2004 %
Proficient
|
PSSA
2003
% Proficient
& up
|
PSSA
2004-2003
% Change |
Enrollment
2004
|
# Students
Proficient
& up 2004
|
# Students
Proficient
& up 2003
|
| 1 |
Reynolds |
Central |
948 |
36 |
38.3
|
10.7
|
27.6 |
36
|
14
|
4
|
| 2 |
Conwell MS |
Central East |
737 |
240 |
72.2
|
47.1
|
25.1 |
224
|
162
|
106
|
| 3 |
Meredith |
South |
564 |
49 |
80.6
|
62.7
|
17.9 |
63
|
51
|
40
|
| 4 |
Farrell |
Northeast |
538 |
107 |
67.0
|
47.0
|
20.0 |
101
|
68
|
47
|
| 5 |
Hamilton |
Southwest |
461 |
71 |
72.6
|
80.0
|
-7.4 |
51
|
37
|
41
|
| 6 |
Fitler |
Northwest |
460 |
58 |
58.5
|
16.9
|
41.6 |
55
|
32
|
9
|
| 7 |
Hill-Freedman |
Northwest |
437 |
57 |
84.7
|
43.5
|
41.2 |
79
|
67
|
34
|
| 8 |
Charles Henry |
Northwest |
422 |
69 |
48.5
|
63.6
|
-15.1 |
70
|
34
|
45
|
| 9 |
Greenberg |
Northeast |
417 |
101 |
75.0
|
70.1
|
4.9 |
85
|
64
|
60
|
| 10 |
Clemente MS |
North |
381 |
350 |
11.7
|
6.5
|
5.2 |
323
|
38
|
21
|
| 11 |
AMY Northwest |
Northwest |
359 |
89 |
32.2
|
18.5
|
13.7 |
92
|
30
|
17
|
| 12 |
Shawmont |
Northwest |
351 |
99 |
50.5
|
37.8
|
12.7 |
93
|
47
|
35
|
| 13 |
Creighton |
North |
332 |
88 |
30.5
|
15.3
|
15.2 |
107
|
33
|
16
|
| 14 |
Dobson |
Northwest |
330 |
44 |
61.6
|
31.1
|
30.5 |
41
|
25
|
13
|
|
TOTAL STUDENTS
|
1420
|
700
|
487
|
|
% Total Students Proficient and Above
|
|
49.3
|
34.3
|
|
% Change of Group 2004 - 2003
|
|
15.0
|
|