SAN JOSE, California, September 14, 2010 - The non-profit MIND Research Institute (MIND) announced today that the Cisco Foundation is providing a $75,000 grant to ensure that students in Silicon Valley learn mathematics principles that will allow them to be prepared for jobs today and academic success in the future.
MIND's innovative math education programs are based on brain research and build on students' innate ability to learn math. Studies show the effectiveness of MIND's programs in helping all students – including those in high-need communities or gifted – become successful math learners. Cisco Foundation's donation continues its history of supporting MIND and other nonprofit organizations to create scalable, replicable, and sustainable community programs. Since 2004, Cisco and the Cisco Foundation have contributed $2.2 million in combined cash and product donations to support the innovative efforts of MIND.
"It is vital that we connect research-based and effective education solutions with community partners such as corporations, foundations and universities, which can help them scale up and reach all students," stated MIND Chairman, Ted Smith. "We are grateful for the support of the Cisco Foundation and their leadership in Silicon Valley."
"The Cisco Foundation's commitment to education includes creating and deploying Internet solutions that allow students—particularly those in underserved communities—to build a foundation upon which they can base later success in high school and beyond," said Ricardo Benavidez, Cisco community relations manager for Silicon Valley. "Cisco is pleased to expand MIND's programs to students in Silicon Valley, as we believe that an effective math education helps build problem-solving skills—a core competency in today's competitive knowledge economy."
MIND's unique research- and technology-based program does not rely on language or math symbol comprehension in the beginning phases and has no graphics or sounds that distract students from mathematical principles. The program engages and motivates students, and allows educators to track student performance, individualize instruction and adapt quickly to education reforms such as new standards and assessments.
MIND has a strong record of success in more than 950 schools across the country. For example, Silicon Valley's Anderson Elementary in West San Jose was at the bottom among 250 elementary schools in Santa Clara County and faced potential closure. Just three years after the school implemented MIND's program ST Math, the Title 1 school with nearly 80 percent English Language Learners saw its API scores increase by 206 points, the greatest gain in all of Santa Clara County
The Cisco Foundation's grant will support four Alum Rock Union Elementary Schools and more than 500 students at A.J. Dorsa Elementary School, Horace Cureton Elementary, Mildreb Goss Elementary and Cesar Chavez Elementary to replicate the success of Anderson. The concentrated investment in Alum Rock is in partnership with City Year, which is reinforcing mathematic principles using MIND in the afterschool programming. Together, MIND, Cisco and City Year share a commitment to closing the achievement gap and increasing the graduation rate in one of the valley's most underserved communities.
Founded in 1998 at the University of California, Irvine, MIND is dedicated to applying research to the creation of revolutionary and highly effective math education programs. MIND is committed to helping all children, particularly those living in poverty or with limited language skills, achieve success in school and in life. With more than 10 years of strong results, MIND offers schools cost-effective solutions and a powerful tool to improve the educational outcomes of students.
