If you've got it (research), flaunt it. If you don't, start worrying?

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As lawmakers debate reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, one question is: How effective are instructional programs that schools are currently using to improve progress? Included in this concern is the reliability of computer-based instruction to improve student learning.

One program that has demonstrated success is Classworks, published by Curriculum Advantage, Inc. (www.curriculumadvantage.com). Classworks is one of the only computer-assisted instructional programs proven to promote student success, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The Institute of Education Sciences, a division of the USDOE, has been evaluating scientifically based research and program effectiveness in all instructional areas to validate education companies’ effectiveness studies.

Dr. Robert E. Slavin and Dr. Cynthia Lake of Johns Hopkins University wrote the study, entitled Effective Programs in Elementary Mathematics: A Best-Evidence Synthesis. It shows Classworks’ research as having the highest effectiveness rating of any computer-assisted software program in the study.

The study investigated the effectiveness of programs in Elementary Mathematics in general and computer-assisted instruction programs specifically. The final report places Classworks – which offers intervention and remediation curriculum, and is a leader in providing prescriptive, differentiated and standards-based instruction – far above its competition. The study addressed two questions: Are the studies themselves valid and reliable; and what are the effectiveness results of the studies deemed to be valid?

Press Release, March 29.

Download the report.