Start-Up Teaches Math to Americans, Indian-Style

Claire Cain Miller

The New York Times recently reported on a study that found, once again, that the United States is failing to develop the math skills of its students, particularly girls, especially compared to other countries where math education is more highly valued.

Indian Math Online is a start-up that aims to take on that disparity by teaching math to American kids using techniques from Indian schools.

Bob Compton, an Indianapolis-based venture capitalist and entrepreneur who co-founded Indian Math Online, hatched the idea when he was producing Two Million Minutes, a documentary comparing high school education in India, China and the United States. He realized that Indian teenagers who were the same age as his daughters were three years ahead of them in math.

"If you don't get mathematics to the highest level you possibly can in high school, your career options shrink dramatically in the 21st century," Mr. Compton said. "Our society basically tells girls they're not good at math. I was determined that was not going to happen to my daughters."

Posted by Jeff Henriques at November 5, 2008 3:02 PM
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