Improving Student Learning Through Online Tools: study of the effectiveness of a test preparation program for high school students
USATestprep
Improving students’ academic skills, particularly in the core content areas of language arts and mathematics remains a critical part of the educational mission. As schools seek to develop student reading and mathematics skills Common Core Skills, they are looking for solutions that will assist them in achieving these goals. USATestprep offers a web-based solution to help schools in developing student academic skills. The client sought to validate the efficacy of the product for use in schools and to measure of the impact the program has on student learning and performance.
SEG designed and conducted a scientific effectiveness study for USATestprep integrating both qualitative and quantitative data for the evaluation. Student achievement gains were evaluated through Stanford 10 tests as well as state-based test results. The study also explored potential differences in growth between boys and girls and among students of different ethnic backgrounds. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare two groups of students, similar in ability. Based on a year-long, multi-state study, students using USATestprep, to improve their academic skills, showed substantially greater growth in both Reading and Mathematics than students who did not use USATestprep. The study also found that USATestprep is equally effective for boys and girls and for students of different ethnic backgrounds.
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