Carnegie Learning, Inc. Forges Partnership to Improve Math Instruction in Latin America
Inter-American Development Bank Funds Project to Localize Cognitive Tutor® Software for Students in Five Countries
PITTSBURGH, PA, May 5, 2009 - Carnegie Learning, Inc. today announced a three-year partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and universities in Mexico, Central America, and South America to develop Cognitive Tutor® math software for secondary school students that is adapted to the regional contexts and languages of their countries. Carnegie Learning cognitive scientists and software developers will work closely with representatives from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, Chile; Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral in Guayaquil, Ecuador; and Tecnológico de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. Universities in El Salvador and Colombia also plan to join the project in a future phase.
The goal of the partnership is to understand how innovative, research-based math instruction can integrate with educational systems in these countries to help improve student math performance. The project is supported by a grant from Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)which partners with governments and the private sector to combat poverty and foster social equity by promoting sustainable economic growth, increase competitiveness, modernize public institutions, and free trade and regional integration in 26 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
"The work here is much more significant than changes in language alone, because it recognizes differences in teaching styles, educational context, resources, and culture and integrates these components throughout the Cognitive Tutor® software," said Dennis Ciccone, Chief Executive Office of Carnegie Learning, Inc. "Each partner is an active and vital contributor to this collaboration as we adapt our math curricula to meet the unique, localized requirements and contexts of a diverse group of Spanish-speaking students."
This project expands upon an earlier collaboration among Carnegie Mellon University and universities in five Latin American countries that promotes infrastructure growth and supports the effective uses of educational technology in secondary schools.
"This program builds off an established educational network -- "RELATED" -- whose goal is to improve education through technology enhanced learning," said Paul Goodman, Director of the Institute for Strategic Development and the Richard M. Cyert Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. "This and other global strategic alliances create the opportunity for knowledge sharing, transfer of educational technology, and better understanding of cross-national differences. These processes can enhance educational capabilities across multiple countries."
"For more than 10 years we have been working together with Carnegie Mellon University on the design and use of technology-enhanced learning environments for Latin America's public school system," said Ignacio Casas, Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. "This partnership with Carnegie Learning, supported by IDB, allows us to focus on the improvement of math teaching/learning, which has been a seriously weak link in our educational system."
About Carnegie Learning (www.carnegielearning.com)
Carnegie Learning, Inc. is a leading publisher of innovative, research-based math solutions for middle school, high school, and post-secondary students. Our curricula - Bridge to Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Integrated Math programs - provide differentiated instruction to 500,000 students in nearly 2600 schools in the U.S. helping them to succeed in math as a gateway to graduation and preparation for the 21st century workforce. Carnegie Learning® Blended Math Solutions integrate interactive software, text, and collaborative classroom activity for core, full-year math instruction. Carnegie Learning® Adaptive Math Solutions feature Cognitive Tutor® Software that may be customized for Response to Intervention programs. All solutions are supported by Carnegie Learning® Professional Development Services. In independent studies, Carnegie Learning® curricula consistently show significant effects on student learning resulting in improved math achievement. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Learning was founded by cognitive and computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon University in conjunction with veteran mathematics teachers.
Contact: Mary Murrin Carnegie Learning, Inc. 412-690-2442, ext. 176