Evidence of Effectiveness of Study Island, EducationCity, and Reading Eggs Learning Solutions on Student Achievement

This is a synopsis of a new research study (October 2012); email me if you want the complete study: pat.ryan@archlearning.com
Study at a Glance

• The study examines the impact of Study Island, EducationCity, and Reading Eggs on mathematics and reading achievement in 514 classrooms from 81 schools across 12 districts in eight states over a multiyear period.

• Results indicate that classrooms using Study Island, EducationCity, and Reading Eggs solutions experience growth in learning at a rate significantly higher than district and state averages.

• Overall, 77% of classes using at least one of these programs exhibited achievement gains from the prior year in math; 75% of classes realized gains in reading.

• Among classrooms that expanded their subscription to include an additional solution during the second study year, 90% of math and 85% of reading classes saw gains from the baseline year.

• Classrooms using Study Island, EducationCity, and Reading Eggs experienced academic growth gains up to 500% greater than the rate of district growth during the study period.

Conclusion

The research evidence documented in this study about Study Island, EducationCity, and Reading Eggs all points in the same direction: Students in classrooms using these solutions exhibit significantly greater achievement gains compared with overall district and state growth rates. Using these products in classrooms resulted in gains that were, on average, three times greater than district and state averages. For schools with the most acute instructional needs, the achievement gains were even more pronounced as product users in low-performing schools achieved rates of growth that were six times greater than nonusers within their district in math and four times greater in reading.

Schools that harnessed multiple learning solutions to target specific instructional skills in reading and mathematics evidenced the largest rates of growth in the study sample. In math, classes that bundled Study Island and EducationCity experienced growth that was seven times greater than the district average. Users who implemented various configurations of Study Island, EducationCity, and Reading Eggs experienced approximately double-digit proficiency rate increases in reading over one academic year.

Conversely, classes in schools that did not renew their product subscriptions experienced deep declines in proficiency rates in both math and reading, while overall district and state proficiency rates increased during the same period.

Archipelago Learning and PLATO Learning Win Four EDDIE Awards

PLATO Learning and Archipelago Learning, leading subscription-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers of educational solutions, have won four Education Software Review Awards (EDDIEs). Study Island won best lesson planning website for upper elementary, EducationCity won best elementary multi-subject website, and PLATO Learning’s PLATO Physics and PLATO Chemistry products both won awards for best physics and best chemistry in their respective categories.

“We are very excited to be recognized,” said Andy Frost, Vice President, Product Management for PLATO Learning. “Our number one priority is to support our customers through our quality academic content, extensive teacher resources, and engaging user experience. We are honored to have four products win this prestigious award.”

The ComputED Gazette recently announced the winners of its 17th Annual Education Software Review Awards targeting innovative and content-rich programs and websites that augment the classroom and improve teacher productivity. Winners are selected based on academic content, potential for broad classroom use, technical merit, subject approach, and management system.

About PLATO Learning

PLATO Learning is a leading provider of high-value, comprehensive online solutions that support educators in their mission to successfully transition learners from one stage to the next in their educational endeavors. With our focus on learner achievement and educational success, PLATO Learning offers a wide variety of solutions to cover multiple program areas.

About Archipelago Learning

Archipelago Learning, a PLATO Learning company, is a leading subscription-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of education products used by approximately 14 million students in nearly 38,700 schools throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our comprehensive digital supplemental product suite uses technology to transform education. We make rigorous learning fun, engaging, accessible and affordable. For more information, please visit us at www.archipelagolearning.com.