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Department of Education Article Featuring Get Ahead Math 
Get Ahead Math Has Students and Parents Working
Off the Same Screen
Today's students lead lives quite different from the ones their
parents led when they were young. They tote cell phones, chat online,
and play high-tech video games. Although parental involvement is
essential to a child's educational development, many parents find
it difficult to relate to how and what their children are learning
in school. This disconnect is particularly true when it comes to
learning math.
Consider the familiar scenario: Rachel asks Dad for help with a
division problem, but Dad's explanation only proves more confusing
because it diverges from what Rachel's teacher has been teaching
her all week. Both parties end up frustrated, and Rachel is less
likely to go to her parents for help with math in the future.
With this dilemma in mind, Claremont Graduate University President
Steadman Upham saw an opportunity to use math research conducted
by Claremont's School of Education to develop a commercial educational
product that would combine the most current math content knowledge
with the technology tools that students use everyday. He approached
Walt Rose, a local businessman, who was also involved with community
work to benefit children, for help with this issue.
As a result, Rose founded Get Ahead Learning, a family-owned company
of developers with degrees in education, human and organizational
development, business administration, and instructional technology.
The company was formed to create high quality educational software
products that would engage parents and other adults in the learning
process. The first product became Get Ahead Math, which came on
the market in April of this year.
Aligned with the California state education standards, Get Ahead
Math is a CD-ROM-based product that provides learning modules for
grades three through eight. The program delivers instruction via
video streaming with detailed step-by-step examples, developmental
practice worksheets, and comprehensive assessments. The basic concepts
covered in the lessons allow students to review, practice, and master
the key building blocks of mathematics. And, to bridge the technology
gap between parent and child, the program includes 42 brief tutorials
to help parents understand current classroom methods and technology.
A sample tutorial, which is focused on one concept, lasts about
5 minutes. The video shows a teacher who explains the concept conversationally,
using popular imagery that a student would understand. As the teacher
is doing the work, the camera moves in to show a close-up of what
the teacher is writing. The teacher explains the concept by approaching
it from different perspectives. The teacher talks to the student
in the video and then to the student in the "audience"
as a coach would talk to a team player.
The software is targeted to families, but it has also been used
in after-school programs that deal with similar problems of math-learning
methodology. Since the Get Ahead Math program videos review the
key mathematical concepts and topics, tutors can develop their own
mathematics expertise.
Get Ahead Math has been approved as a supplemental educational
services provider by the State of California. "Supplemental
educational services" under No Child Left Behind are free tutoring
and other academic assistance available for low-income children
who attend Title I schools that have been designated by the state
as in need of improvement for two years or more. This tutoring may
be offered in math, as well as reading/language arts and other core
subjects, before or after school, on weekends, or in the summer.
In California, over 200 public and private entities are approved
as supplemental educational service providers.
While the product was designed for students to work with adults
to study math, students can also work independently, because the
program is self-paced and can target specific skill levels. This
feature is particularly useful in a group tutorial setting, because
it allows adults to work one-on-one with those students who need
more individualized help.
To date, several after-school programs have adopted Get Ahead Math,
including six Boys and Girls Clubs in California, which have been
using the program as a regular part of their after-school schedule.
In addition, schools in such districts in California as Los Angeles
Unified, Monrovia, Pasadena, Mountain View, West Covina, and San
Luis Coastal have begun using Get Ahead Math in the classroom as
a supplement to regular teaching. Home-schooling families have also
discovered it.
Even though the program just came on the market in April, it has
already won national recognition. The National Parenting Center
awarded Get Ahead Math with its Seal of Approval, and the National
Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) gave it their Gold Award.
The creators of Get Ahead Math see replacing math frustration with
math confidence as the key to helping students, and they are committed
to providing a solution that also improves test scores. According
to Chris Mihm, one of the Get Ahead Math team members, preliminary
independent studies of the product show promise of effectiveness.
Prior to launch, Robert Lazers of the Mark Sheridan Math and Science
Academy in Chicago conducted two studies of the product. Then, after
launch, Jeffrey S. Lagozzino, principal of La Primaria Elementary
in El Monte (CA) conducted a third study of student performance
in his school's summer program. These initial studies indicated
that students who use Get Ahead Math can improve their academic
achievement.
The Office of Innovation and Improvement provides information and
technical assistance on supplemental educational services and No
Child Left Behind. OII also administers grants to support educational
technology. Students who use Get Ahead Math as part of a supplemental
services program receive the services free. Get Ahead Math was developed
without federal funding.
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