STEMscopes Math Achieves Level 3 ESSA Certification -- THE Journal

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STEMscopes Math Achieves Level 3 ESSA Certification

By Rhea Kelly
05/14/26

Key Takeaways

STEMscopes Math meets ESSA Level 3 requirements. The certification demonstrates "promising evidence" of a statistically significant, positive effect on student outcomes.
Independent study examined Texas math achievement: LXD Research studied 4,016 students across 170 schools in six Texas districts, comparing STEMscopes Math students with comparison students.
Students using STEMscopes Math scored roughly 21 points higher on STAAR, with 77% meeting or mastering grade-level expectations compared with 69% of comparison students.

STEMscopes Math, the core math curriculum from Accelerate Learning, has met Level 3 evidence requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The certification demonstrates "promising evidence" that the learning tool has a statistically significant, positive effect on student outcomes, the company explained in a news announcement.

To pursue the ESSA certification, Accelerate Learning contracted independent research firm LXD Research to conduct an efficacy study examining the impact of STEMscopes Math on math achievement across six Texas school districts. In the study of 4,016 students in 170 schools, STEMscopes Math students outscored comparison students on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness by roughly 21 points. STEMscopes Math students were also significantly more likely to meet grade-level benchmarks: 77% of STEMscopes students met or mastered grade-level expectations, compared with 69% of comparison students, the company reported, noting that results were consistent across student subgroups.

"Educational leaders rely on Evidence for ESSA to find proven programs with solid evidence of effectiveness," said Reid Whitaker, Ph.D., chief impact officer at Accelerate Learning, in a statement. "This new study adds to the growing body of research supporting STEMscopes Math. It also validates what we hear from teachers and leaders across the country: STEMscopes Math is making a measurable difference in students' learning."

STEMscopes Math is now listed on Evidence for ESSA, an online database of programs and practices that align to the ESSA evidence standards. For more information, visit the Accelerate Learning site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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