"I observed CEO Kwame Askia, teaching our STEP Program students. The STEP program is for over-aged sixth grade students. There are a total of 22 students in the class. The initial mathematical question asked by Mr. Askia on 6 students got the right answer.

After teaching the students' the Askia concept, there were 19 students that understood the mathematical concepts that he was teaching. Virtually all students were engaged in the learning process as well! My personal evaluation of this program appears to be sustainable and transferable to our students. Along with his concept of community, professional development would be an integral part of success of this Divergent Interdisciplinary/Thematic program."

Jennifer Botts-Brown
Principal | Lew Wallace Elementary School

"It was amazing watching Mr. Askia and his associate demonstrating a lesson this morning. He was in a 6th grade inclusionary classroom that has some behavior issues. He began with adding unlike fractions. He began with this lesson because you have to know how to do that function to move on to more difficult problems. His method and delivery was very engaging for the students. They were all on task and focused on the lesson.

His methodology captured ther interest from the beginning. With the first problem he presented only 5 students go the correct answer. By the end of the lesson the entire class got the correct answer. The lesson only took about 40 minutes.

Mr. Askia created an environment for critical thinking. The students were surprised at themselves for being able to solve the problems. After succeeding they wanted more. It was great seeing a class that usually struggles to be so interested in the process. They were indeed using critical thinking skills.

One of the major keys in this approach is that students after being exposed to this type of thinking can go to other classes, model and teach students in using thinking skills to solve problems.

I also was impressed with the process because some students knew the answer but they didn't show thier work. This process would increase test scores because they always request you to show your work and not just arrive at an answer.

I think it is a program we need to look at for our students. It is not overly complicated, but well organized. It is based on solid concepts that will increase our students' critical thinking skills, motivate our students, and enable them to score higher on benchmarks and ISTEP."

Emilee Matthews
Principal | Brookside Elementary School

"By my observation of Mr. Askia's math lesson, the students were engaged and excited about learning the concepts and strategies of fractions. Personally, I have never seen a fraction lesson taught in this manner in my sixteen years of teaching. The R.S.P math students impressed me with this lesson, their energy and participation was excellent.

Presently, my 4th grade class is starting Unit 5, which is fractions and mixed numbers. His lesson today has provided these students with an understanding of fractions, which I was unaware of. With Mr. Askia's methods, I believe the student's growth has improved by 70% - 80% with the information which was provided today. I appreciate Mrs. Burnett for selecting my class and Mr. Askia's time."

Mrs. Woods
Teacher | Robert F. Kennedy Elementary School

"During the fall semester of the 2004-2005 school year, Ms. Anna Mackey, an employee of Askia Learning Concepts, Inc., worked collaboratively with the substitute in my vacant science position. Their ultimate goal was to ensure student achievement. Utilizing the Askia instructional strategies, they generated and facilitated engaging, "lesson alive" vocabulary and comprehension TEKS - aligned lessons.

A comparison of the fall semester 2004 ACP percent passing (75%) and the fall semester 2003 ACP percent passing (56%) for this position supports the success of the instructional strategies utilized. Ms. Anna Mackey has truly been an asset at Maya Angelou High School. The faculty, staff and students deeply appreciate Ms. Mackey, her instructional expertise, and her commendable professional demeanor."

Cheryl Humphrey
Principal | Maya Angelou High School

"Mr. Askia gave the students MCT formatted test questions. After completing the questions, on question number one, thirteen students out of fourteen had the answer incorrect. After his demonstration, on a similar question, fourteen out of seventeen had the answer correct.

The student, teacher, assistant and I were amazed at the transformation. After only thirty minutes you could see result. It did not take one day or one week but less than an hour. Can you imagine the impact this program could have on test scores if it were implemented? As a principal, I would like to put my money on ASKIA Critical Thinking Learning Concepts."

Albert Williams
Principal | Booker T. Washington