Effects of Adaptive Learning Technologies on Math Achievement: A Quantitative Study of ALEKS Math Software

Abstract

The intent of this study is to investigate the effects of a particular adaptive math learning program (ALEKS) on math achievement and its impact on closing the achievement gap in math performance of middle school students. The study is conducted in two small urban school districts in a southern city. The study is a quasi-experimental research design with a sample size of 1110 students in grades fifth through ninth forming a control group and a treatment group of equal sizes. The data is compiled from the 2014-2015 school year (archived data) and has been analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to compare mean scores of the two groups from a norm-referenced test and regression analysis to understand various categorical variables affecting math achievement on ALEKS.