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RICHMOND, Va.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is meeting todayas challenges to increase student achievement in reading, mathematics, and science by building on the success of the Standards of Learning (SOL). It is encouraging innovation in the classroom, including the use of technology to enhance instruction.

"The application engages students in mathematics content on the mobile devices that connect them with their friends."

This year, the Center for Digital Education recognized VDOEas Master the Math Mobile Application as the first place winner in the 2012 Digital Education Achievement Awards (DEAA) and Best of the Web Awards (BOW) Digital Application/Project category. DEAA recognizes outstanding contributions at the application, intranet, and infrastructure level, all to the benefit and quality of online education for students, teachers, and the community.

aMaster the Math is math on the go,a Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said. aThe application engages students in mathematics content on the mobile devices that connect them with their friends.a

Launched in September 2011, Master the Math is a mobile educational game that helps students prepare for the SOL exams by reinforcing the mathematics curriculum from grades three through eight. This mobile application features more than 800 questions from 19 released Virginia SOL tests. The application uses practice tests mixed with an interactive quiz presentation a" incorporating popular TV game show elements to form the multiple choice framework for the app. With its wide range of interactive practice opportunities with sound effects and clues, Master the Math embraces technology to offer exciting ways for students to learn and study. Hints provide a tidbit of information to help point the student in the right direction. Testers also can take a risk with aCall a Tutor,a who may or may not share the correct answer. By selecting a a50/50,a two incorrect answers are eliminated. Each time an exam is selected, different questions are randomly presented. Questions frequently include visual elements, such as formula sheets, diagrams, graphs, and charts. Students have the option of selecting a difficulty level, viewing correct answers either during or after the test, and retrieving their score history.

Master the Math has been downloaded more than 20,100 times and has recently been averaging over 1,000 downloads per day.

About Virginia Interactive

[ Virginia Interactive, LLC ] is a wholly owned subsidiary of [ NIC ], the largest provider of official websites, online services and secure payment processing solutions for state and local government entities across the United States.

About the Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education provides support and guidance to the commonwealthas 132 public school divisions which, combined, educate approximately 1.2 million students. The department administers regulations promulgated by the state Board of Education and assists the board in carrying out its responsibilities under state and federal education law.

About NIC

[ NIC ](NASDAQ:[ EGOV ]) is the nation's leading provider of government websites, online services, and secure payment processing solutions. The company's innovative eGovernment services help reduce costs and increase efficiencies for government agencies, citizens, and businesses across the country. The NIC family of companies provides eGovernment solutions for more than 3,500 federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. Additional information is available at[ http://www.egov.com ].