Title of Study: Accelerated Math 2010

Author(s): What Works Clearinghouse

Summary:
Accelerated Math monitors students’ progress in mathematics and generates individualized assignments based on students’ academic needs. Accelerated Math is a software program that can be used as the primary curriculum, or integrated with the existing mathematics classroom curriculum.  Research summarized in this review includes both uses of the software. This review summarizes the results of one study of Accelerated Math software that meets the What Works Clearinghouse evidence standards, and two studies that meet evidence standards with reservations.  

Sponsoring entity(s): U. S. Department of Education

Date conducted: 2010

Location of the study: This study can be accessed through What Works Clearinghouse.

Setting(s) addressed:

• Classroom

Targeted population(s):

• The three studies reviewed targeted elementary students.

Primary sources of evidence used in the study or report:

• Review of published research

Primary Technology Application(s) Addressed:

• Educational software

Major education topic(s) addressed:

• Math

Major findings/conclusions:

• In one of the three studies reviewed, there was an increase in student achievement that was substantively important (but not statistically significant) for grade 4. Results were indeterminate for the other two studies.

Practical implications of the findings:

• A previous What Works Clearinghouse review summarized research on Accelerated Math in middle school, and found no statistically significant impact on student performance.

Reviewer Comments:
For this summary, reviewers analyzed 32 studies of this software, all focused on elementary grades, but found only three that met their rigorous evidence standards. Accelerated Math is available for grades 1 through 12.  Additional studies that did not meet the stringent WWC criteria are available through Renaissance Learning.