Texas Recognizes MIND Education's ST Math for Effective Learning Strategies for Students

In a significant move to enhance educational strategies, Texas has recognized MIND Education’s ST Math program by placing it on the HB 1416 Ratio Waiver List for the second consecutive year. This acknowledgment highlights the effectiveness of ST Math in supporting students' academic success through innovative learning solutions.

Overview of ST Math's Impact

MIND Education, renowned for its neuroscience-driven approach to math education, has consistently provided tools that empower over 1.3 million students across 263 school districts in Texas. The ST Math program is designed to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through interactive puzzles that engage students while minimizing cognitive load. The program's success is evidenced by a rigorous study conducted in partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which revealed significant improvements in students’ STAAR Math performance levels. Notably, 18.7% of students using ST Math regularly advanced at least one performance level over the past three academic years.

Tia Smart, the program director of elementary mathematics at Aldine Independent School District, emphasized the program's visual and conceptual strengths over traditional rote memorization, stating, “ST Math’s visual puzzles enhance understanding and support our emergent bilingual learners as well as those facing challenges with language-based instruction. The program has increased motivation among students, leading to meaningful connections with tier 1 instruction.”

The Significance of the HB 1416 Ratio Waiver List

The HB 1416 Ratio Waiver List identifies approved online curriculum products for use in Texas schools, aimed at providing tailored and accelerated instruction particularly for students who are lagging behind. To qualify for this list, ST Math underwent thorough evaluation based on its effectiveness, research-backed rigor, and compliance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). By being part of the Ratio Waiver List, ST Math becomes exempt from the state’s 41 student-to-tutor ratio regulations, thereby easing compliance burdens for school districts.

This recognition allows districts to utilize ST Math without being constrained by strict ratio requirements, ensuring that struggling students can still receive a quality math education.

Continued Commitment to Education

As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing education in Texas, MIND Education is offering special pricing for local educational agencies (LEAs) that purchase ST Math to comply with HB 1416, available until June 30, 2025. This initiative reflects MIND Education’s dedication to equipping students with the necessary skills to tackle the increasingly complex challenges of today’s world.

Furthermore, MIND Education not only offers ST Math but also InsightMath Texas, a K-5 curriculum grounded in neuroscience that transforms the way students learn math, catering to the varied ways in which brains process mathematical concepts. During the 2023-24 school year, MIND Education reached more than 2.17 million students and supported 115,000 educators nationwide.

Conclusion

In an evolving educational landscape, MIND Education's ST Math continues to play a crucial role in Texas schools, helping students build foundational skills in mathematics that are vital for their future success. The continued inclusion of ST Math in the HB 1416 Ratio Waiver List underscores its effectiveness and the trust educational leaders place in this program to advance student learning outcomes in mathematics. For more information on ST Math and its implementation in Texas schools, visit MINDEducation.org.