STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics):

Strategies for schools with high poverty rates.
Knowledge Arts’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Program provides training, strategies and coaching to teachers to enable them to increase math and science achievement among at-risk students in elementary, middle and high schools. Based on the Learning Structures developed by Ruby Payne, STEM uses a model for teaching impoverished students that has been implemented in hundreds of schools across the nation.

Testimonial-STEM program-Hartman

May 11, 2006
Hartman Middle School
7111 Westover
Houston, TX 77087

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is written in support of Knowledge Arts Foundation (KAF) and the benefits we gained here at Hartman as a result of working with the Foundation during 2005-2006 school year.

At the beginning of the school year, our teachers were presented with a presentation addressing poverty and how it affects our students’ learning and why they behave as they do. This staff development was very beneficial in making us aware of how the students learn and react to different situations in the classroom. It was very enlightening and helped us improve our teaching styles to accommodate our students, thus, resulting in a better relationship and learning environment for all. It made us aware of the fact that although many of our students come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, they can overcome this obstacle and still achieve at high levels.

Throughout the school year, Ms. Shelley Rex and Ms. Czarnik worked closely with the Math teachers, teaching us different strategies to improve and increase learning. We were introduced to Ruby Payne’s Learning Structures and shown how it would benefit us. We began immediate implementation and saw immediate positive results. We developed a uniform problem solving plan called “RIDS” which we employed this school year and will use in coming years. She focused on our needs and those objectives we were struggling with. As a result, she designed and tailored a plan of action to address specific problems and frustrations we encountered. Ms. Rex brought to us valuable test-taking tips which we put into effect during this year’s TAKS tests. As a result our Math TAKs scores showed tremendous growth. It is my opinion that without the assistance of KAF and their inclusion of our teachers in the planning process, we would not have been able to attain pothis success.

The Math Department at Hartman Middle School would like to continue working with KAF during the second year of our three-year plan as we continue to strive for excellence. This year has been the beginning of what we hope will become an ongoing working relationship with KAF, as we continue to make steady and significant gains in our instructional skills and methodologies through the knowledge and expertise of Ruby Payne.

We realize that in providing our students with a strong Math background, we are giving them a greater opportunity to compete in today’s society. We are also helping ensure they will be better prepared and will become productive and contributing citizens in the future. Therefore, we sincerely hope that KAF will receive the necessary funding to continue in this joint endeavor so that our overall educational process will continue to be enhanced to produce positive life-long results in our students.

If I can be of further assistance, please contact me at 713.845.7434.

Sincerely,
Kendra S. Franklin
Chairperson, Math Department