Pendergast Elementary District

Challenge

The populations represented in the Pendergast Elementary School District (PESD) continue to be underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields. This diverse district wanted to offer accelerated mathematics courses to their 7th and 8th graders, who met the English and math requirements, to better prepare them for a rigorous math track in high school. However, they were not equipped with the staff or curriculum to do so.

88% qualify for free and reduced lunch
75% hispanic, 9% black, 16% other

Solution

Implementing an accelerated math program.
PESD’s goal is to provide equal education opportunities for all students. ASU Prep Digital partnered with them to provide Algebra 1 to any 7th or 8th grade student who met the English and math requirements, ultimately choosing 75 students from across the district to participate in this program. Activities included weekly live lessons with one of our instructors and tutoring sessions with a tutor provided by PESD.

Results

Students responded well to the program with a 93.3% pass rate, compared to 39% for the state average. Additionally, 98% of the students received high school Algebra 1 credit. In its second year, 134 students are taking Algebra 1 and 16 students are taking Geometry.