The effects of ten reading and mathematics software products on student achievement.

"Effectiveness of Reading and Mathematics Software Products: Findings for Two Student Cohorts" randomly assigned teachers to either receive training and materials to incorporate commercial computer software into their curriculum or to continue using their regular curriculum.

Reading:

* First grade: Destination Reading®; Waterford Early Reading Program™; Headsprout®; PLATO®Focus

* Fourth grade: LeapTrack®; Academy of Reading®

Mathematics:

* Sixth grade: Larson’s Pre-algebra; PLATO®Achieve Now
* Algebra I: Cognitive Tutor® Algebra I; Larson’s Algebra

In classrooms assigned to use PLATO®Focus or Cognitive Tutor®, the assigned curriculum was used instead of the core curriculum. In classrooms assigned to use any of the other products, the assigned curriculum was used to supplement the core curriculum.

The study found a positive, statistically significant effect for one of the six reading products examined (LeapTrack®, 4th grade). The estimated effect size was 0.09, equivalent to moving a student from the 50th to the 54th percentile of reading achievement.

None of the four math products examined demonstrated significant effects on student achievement.