FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wisconsin Schools Rising to the Challenge
Increasing Achievement by Embracing the Common Core State Standards
St. Charles, MO. (Feb. 16, 2016) – Historically, the United States’ performance in mathematics has been problematic for students and is frequently cited as a subject area in need of improvement. In a new study on elementary mathematics education, several Wisconsin school districts are demonstrating the positive gains that the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) is yielding. An effective strategy, commitment to improving teaching pedagogy, and a CCSSM core program are all serving to transform their classrooms, and enabling them to significantly outpace statewide testing scores.
The study examined six school districts’ elementary mathematics performance between the years 2012 and 2014. The average increase in performance was three times higher than the statewide average growth for the same time period. The largest single increase a district realized was 13 percent, with the average increase across all the districts reviewed being 6 percent. All of the districts utilized ORIGO Stepping Stones – a mathematics core program developed for the CCSSM. The schools with the largest gains invested in ORIGO’s Professional Learning sessions to complement their implementation.
“While adopting the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics was an important first step to ensuring that every student has access to engaging relevant material, it is equally important that they choose the highest quality resource materials to support the new standards,” said ORIGO co-founder James Burnett. “This study not only reinforces ORIGO’s approach to mathematics teaching, but is also a testament to the quality of the materials that we publish and the Professional Learning opportunities we offer.”
The study also features an overview of the history and development of the CCMSS in the United States; the key changes it brings to educators; and Wisconsin’s own state specific Foundations for Mathematics. To read the full paper, visit:
About ORIGO Education
ORIGO Education covers all facets of elementary mathematics education, from traditional printed products to digital interactive resources and professional learning. ORIGO’s web-based curriculum, Stepping Stones, is a comprehensive, core mathematics curriculum for grades K–5. The technology-rich program blends online resources with traditional printed materials, resulting in a classroom that is engaged and provides differentiated learning. Professional development videos are embedded within the online program, giving teachers the confidence and knowledge they need to be successful. For more information about Stepping Stones, visit
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Media Contacts:
--Stephanie Hayes, , 888.674.4601
--Chris Swietlik, , 608.216.7300 ext. 23