Independent Research Confirms Students Dramatically Improve Test Scores with SuccessMaker Digital Math Instruction

Third-Grade English Language Learners Narrow the Achievement Gap by Whopping 40 Percentile Points

Phoenix, AZ, February 24, 2011 – A: new independent research study reveals that students learning with: SuccessMaker, an adaptive educational environment for the elementary and middle grades, made remarkable improvements in their math scores on the Group Mathematics Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (GMADE). Third-grade students learning with Pearson’s SuccessMaker outperformed their peers using print supplemental math programs by 34 percentile rank points, or percentiles, according to the education research group Gatti Evaluation Inc.

Gatti’s research confirmed that fifth-grade SuccessMaker students topped their peers by 20 percentiles, and seventh-grade SuccessMaker learners scored 23 percentiles higher than their non-SuccessMaker peers.

“SuccessMaker students in all three tested grade levels saw statistically significant and educationally meaningful gains, indicating that the program effectively helps students acquire an understanding of math concepts and skills,” said Guido Gatti, principal researcher,: Gatti Evaluation Inc.

Gatti’s year-long, randomized control trial study – the gold standard in educational efficacy research and the same scientific model employed by the Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse – found that English language learners (ELLs) also experienced remarkable jumps in math achievement on the GMADE with SuccessMaker.

Third, fifth, and seventh grade ELLs– those students who are struggling to learn English at the same time they are attempting to master subject matter content –outperformed their ELL classmates not learning with SuccessMaker by 40, 18, and 23 percentiles respectively.

“Our nation’s schools are seeking solutions that enhance the achievement of at-risk learners. The results from this independent study confirm that SuccessMaker provides teachers with a highly effective tool that determines each student’s individual learning level and continuously adapts instruction to meet his or her needs,” said Marcy Baughman, Pearson’s Director of Academic Research. “Pearson conducts rigorous efficacy studies to inform our next-generation educational resources and to ensure that teachers, students and parents have access to the best and most effective learning programs.”

The Gatti study found that a majority of teachers thought SuccessMaker challenged the entire range of students, from those with special needs to higher-achieving student populations. Additionally, Gatti noted teachers were overwhelmingly positive about the program, reporting that SuccessMaker was a sound educational investment.

Providing content matched to the Common Core State Standards, SuccessMaker is eligible for numerous federal funding options, including Title I, 21st Century, Title III, Title V, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT), School Improvement Grants and Investing in Innovation (i3) funds.

Information about how Pearson can help schools capitalize on appropriate grant and funding resources is available at: http://www.fundingforschools.com.

The full efficacy report, with details on the study methodology and sample size, is accessible at: http://www.pearsoned.com/new_research.htm.

Learn more about Pearson at: http://www.pearsonschool.com. More on Pearson’s efficacy research can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtDY30bMNPU.