Study of reading and math software in the classroom

The study examined the effects of ten reading and mathematics software products on student achievement. The study analyzed data on more than 11,000 students in 400 classrooms and was conducted in 23 primarily urban, low-income school districts. The number of students in the analysis of each curriculum ranged from about 600 to about 2,600...the study found that one of six products reading products (LeapTrack^®, 4th grade) had positive effects on test scores; none of the four math products did.

This study met WWC standards and so the results are considered robust. As is most often the case, they find a lot out there that doesn't do what it's purported to...so WWC is a good place to check before investing in a new curriculum product. The brief review is here.

The complete citation is: Campuzano, L., Dynarski, M., Agodini, R., & Rall, K. (2009). Effectiveness of reading and mathematics software products: Findings from two student cohorts (NCEE 2009-4041). Washington, DC: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.

Read the executive summary here.