#USA #Greenville #Littera Education #Virtual Tutoring #Middle School Math

Significant Improvements in Middle School Math

A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) has yielded enlightening results regarding Littera Education's virtual math tutoring program. Conducted with support from Accelerate, the study indicated that middle school students receiving these online tutoring sessions achieved remarkable academic improvements, outperforming peers using alternative educational tools and software.

Overview of the Study

The research was facilitated by experts from the University of Chicago Education Lab and MDRC. It was part of the Personalized Learning Initiative (PLI), aimed at determining effective, scalable methods to expedite student learning. Students enrolled in Littera's program were grouped with high-quality tutors in a virtual environment designed to deliver impactful learning experiences.

The trial took place in the Greenville County School District 1, South Carolina, one of the larger educational districts in the region with about 77,000 students. Approximately 750 students from three Title I middle schools participated in the study, which was structured as a three-arm RCT involving over 2,000 students.

The implementation revolved around two distinct 10-week tutoring periods, combining rigorous training, site visits, surveys, and ongoing assessments to ensure effective learning pathways.

Notable Outcomes

The findings reveal that students engaged in Littera's virtual tutoring experienced an extraordinary improvement of 0.11 standard deviations in their math scores, a statistically significant enhancement (p-value=0.006). This jump equates to approximately 32% of the math curriculum that a typical middle school student would normally absorb over the course of a full academic year.

The demographic makeup of the program's participants was notably diverse, with more than 85% identifying as students of color and over 40% identified as English Language Learners.

Dr. Matthew Steinberg, Managing Director of Research and Evaluation at Accelerate, commented on the study's implications, noting it's among the first large-scale RCTs showcasing substantial gains in middle school math performance driven by virtual small-group tutoring. He emphasized that these results are pivotal in identifying scalable and cost-efficient tutoring models which school systems can leverage to bridge persistent learning gaps and elevate student performance in core subjects.

Addressing Tutoring Needs

Justin Serrano, Founder and CEO of Littera, pointed out the challenges districts face in sourcing qualified math tutors, especially for upper grades. He remarked that this significant achievement through a fully virtual structure highlights the transformative potential held by effective tutoring models.

The latest study adds to Littera's previous research, which compared outcomes between small group tutoring strategies and traditional methods. The current findings bolster the argument for small group tutoring, marking an important stride forward.

Littera Education plans to continue its collaboration with the Greenville County School District, enhancing its educational offerings through South Carolina's Palmetto Math Project in the upcoming school year.

About Littera Education and Accelerate

Littera Education has established strong partnerships with K-12 districts and non-profit organizations, focusing on custom-tailored high-impact tutoring solutions designed to unlock student potential in areas such as reading, math, and language acquisition. Their Tutoring Management System (TMS) facilitates seamless integration of virtual tutoring with district systems, bolstered by advanced data capabilities to ensure structured implementation and positive student outcomes. For more details, visit Littera Education's website.

Accelerate is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to translating strong evidence into real-world educational results. By aligning research with practical applications, they support states in successfully implementing proven strategies in public schools, ensuring effective learning translates into measurable improvements. More information is available at Accelerate's website.