From the editor’s notebook: a new program to offset Oklahoma’s weak performance in Algebra and mathematics, Oklahoma Christian University’s Brain Bush moves to the “think tank” world, and a retired university professor makes a second run at public office.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Janet Barresi has unveiled a digital pilot program intended to help students in Algebra I. Mathematics scores for students in the Sooner State are below the national average, and the new effort is intended to close that gap.

A release from Barresi’s office reports the state Department of Education “has contracted with Apangea Learning Inc., of Pittsburgh, Pa., to provide supplemental online math instruction and tutoring services to 10,000 8th- through 10th-grade Algebra I students statewide currently attending ‘priority’ or ‘focus’ schools. Priority schools are identified on the state’s Waiver request from No Child Left Behind as the lowest performing 5 percent of schools in the state. Focus schools are the next to lowest category.”

Barresi said, in a release send to CapitolBeatOK, “This is one of the state department’s efforts to assist low-achieving schools by providing additional resources to teachers and students.”

A total of 16 high schools and 23 middle schools will participate in the pilot program, which has begun with a teacher training “webinar” February 1-8. Barresi wants to expand the program after this “pilot year,” the agency’s release said.

Today (Wednesday, February 1) is National Digital Learning Day.