**Presentation:**

**National Mathematics Advisory Panel**

**St. Louis, MO**

**September 6, 2007**

Good Afternoon. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address this
distinguished panel. I am Barbara Asteak, Vice President of Suntex
International Inc. Our company is the developer of mathematics
supplement programs that educators, parents and children have embraced
for nearly two decades. Albert Einstein once stated, "Games are the most
elevated form of investigation." As the developer of the innovative
24^®^ game, we are committed to supporting and enhancing math education.

The 24^®^ game series now consists of nine editions. Five years ago we
combined these games with the power of Internet technology, creating the
First In Math^®^ Online program---the program I am presenting to you
today.

The First In Math^®^ program draws on our company's years of experience
in igniting the achievement process among diverse populations. This
program has a proven track record of improving math skills and raising
overall test scores. Last year alone, more than 200,000 students in the
United States participated in the program. First In Math^®^ has
demonstrated its ability to reach and maintain the attention of even
hard-to-reach populations with its engaging, interesting and rigorous
content.

*In three years, participants on the First In Math*^®^ *site are
approaching the\
one-billionth math problem solved.*

While the 24^®^ game is the backbone of the program, students also use
"Bonus Game" modules and "Gym" modules to solidify and demonstrate
mastery of basic facts, one-, two- and multi-step problem solving while
improving mental math, pattern sensing, number sense, critical thinking
concentration, and computer skills. Students work extensively on fact
practice, fractions, decimals, integers,\
pre-algebra and algebra activities.

Students log on to the First In Math^®^ site at school, at home or
wherever they have Internet access. Forty percent of activity on the
First In Math^®^ site occurs after school hours, extending math activity
well beyond the regular school day. Parents can see what their children
are accomplishing and sample the mathematics content for themselves.

Activities on the First In Math^®^ site are designed to introduce skills
on a gradient; easy to difficult. This design makes the program a
perfect tool for differentiated instruction. First In Math^®^ is
self-paced, meeting the needs of all students, from those needing
intervention to gifted. First In Math^®^ is currently used as a primary
mathematics intervention program for the School District of
Philadelphia, AND a district-wide resource for the Gifted and Talented
in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Aligned to rigorous state and national standards, First In Math^®^
complements all curricula and prepares students for a future requiring
literacy in mathematics,

science and technology.

WestEd, one of the nation's top regional education laboratories,
conducted a scientific-based study of the program in National City, CA.
The study conclusively proved that students involved in the First In
Math^®^ Program experienced an increase in test scores on the California
Achievement Test (CAT6). The study also showed students had a much more
positive attitude about math after using the program.

For educators, the site provides real-time continuous feedback about
student achievement. Teachers, principals and district administrators
have User ID's and Passwords, enabling them log on to the site to
monitor the progress of their students in easy-to-read reports.

Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the First In Math^®^ site is
the "Competition" component of the program. Students have the option to
participate as an individual or as part of a classroom "team" in the
school, school district, state and national competition built into the
program. This unique competition element has motivated students to excel
in many ways:

• Hill Freedman, an urban school with 100% minority population, started
the program with math scores at 43% proficient among eighth graders.
After the first year, scores jumped 40 points and continued to improve
in the following two years. Principal Diane Hathaway credits First In
Math^®^ as a key reason for their 2006 designation as a Blue Ribbon
School.

• Parker Annex, a high-poverty school whose students do not have
computers at home, rose to the National #1 Team Ranking once students
developed a plan to get support from local retailers, who let students
log on after school.

• Hannah, a participant from a small Wisconsin town, became the #1
Player in the nation after solving more than 100,000 math problems by
spending more than\
300 hours on the First In Math^®^ site.

Many highly visible and well-regarded programs developed by corporate
committee use buzzwords that appeal to administrators. Alternatively,
our focus remains on **students**, and what helps them enjoy math *and*
be successful in math. First In Math^®^ enables students to feel
ownership of the learning process.

First In Math^®^ is affordable and is easily implemented in an
individual classroom, a school, or on a district-wide basis. Students
using the program develop an enthusiasm for learning, as well as a
belief in their ability to succeed.

I ask that you consider the First In Math^®^ Online Program when making
your recommendations on successful supplementary programs that focus
students

on the math skills needed to succeed in future endeavors.