Grantee: Zearn
Study Type: Matching with retrospective data
Principal Investigator: Jessica Rickel – Zearn
Project Description: This is a matching study with retrospective data that aimed to estimate impacts of using Zearn Math—a computer-based math platform that provides individualized supports to students—at the recommended dosage on students’ math performance. A group of researchers from Zearn leveraged data on more than 14,000 elementary and middle school students attending schools across 31 Louisiana parishes to conduct the analysis. The researchers accessed students’ scores on the Louisiana state standardized tests (LEAP) to assess math performance at the beginning and end of the 2021-22 school year. The researchers then used coarsened exact matching (CEM) to match students who completed the recommended number of Zearn math sessions—at least three times per week on average—to students who participated in less than one session per week on average. They then compared the test score outcomes of the students in their matched treatment and control groups in order to estimate impacts of participating in Zearn math on LEAP test scores. The research team also explored whether impacts were larger for students who started the year with lower levels of math performance.
Key Findings: Findings from the matching analyses revealed that consistent use of Zearn math improved students’ scale scores on the LEAP math assessment by about 6.3 points (effect size = 0.27). Benefits of Zearn Math appeared to be particularly large for students who started the school year scoring below proficient on the prior spring’s LEAP math assessment.
Study Citation: Rickel, J., Szatrowski, A., & Rosemond, C. (2023). Elementary- and middle-school students who consistently used Zearn Math significantly increased scores on state assessment. Zearn Internal Report.
Full report here.
Methodological appendix here.
The Key Findings above were reproduced from the published report and do not necessarily reflect interpretation of Overdeck Family Foundation staff.
