The Idaho Department of Education has signed on with a new on-line program designed to help students statewide improve their math skills.

Tom Luna, state superintendent of public instruction, announced the new program Monday. He says the department has signed a contract with Apangea Learning Incorporated, a Pittsburgh-based company, to provide math instruction and tutoring services to students struggling with the subject.

The company’s program is called SmartHelp math and is being used in schools in more than 20 states nationwide to supplement class work, help teach problem solving skills and motivate students to achieve in math. Luna says the contract is the latest component to the Idaho Math Initiative, a legislative-approved project aimed at providing teachers more tools to bolster math achievement at all grade levels.
(AP)