Insights

Earlier this year, we released our 2023 Impact Report, highlighting Cambium Learning Group’s collective work to drive improved outcomes for the people, communities, and groups we serve. The report details the current state of Cambium’s reach and our momentum over the last year, including real-world case studies from the Cambium brands. In this blog series, we will take a deeper dive into those featured case studies and the transformative impact of the Cambium family. Read on to learn more about how Cambium brand ExploreLearning is working closely with teachers and school districts to ensure students are receiving the foundational knowledge they need to succeed.

Those of us in the education community are well aware of the challenges in today's classrooms. Pandemic learning loss combined with an ongoing teacher shortage has left many school districts scrambling to ensure their students experience the best possible education. For some, that means focusing particularly on math. All too often we hear students say "I'm just not a 'math person.'" What many don't realize is the important role math and other STEM skills play in our everyday lives. 

As the U.S. continues to fall behind in math scoring, the ExploreLearning team is working to support classrooms in delivering the foundational math knowledge that’s most crucial to helping students take on more complex mathematical concepts. While there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to conveying this knowledge, we are taking a unique research-based approach to improving student outcomes and opening doors for students in STEM. 

Improving Student Test Scores with Frax^®

Designed to meet one of the most critical challenges in STEM education, Frax helps all students develop deep conceptual understanding and proficiency with fractions. In 2023, ExploreLearning conducted a study in a major Florida suburban school district to assess the impact of Frax on student outcomes. The study focused on approximately 2,530 students in grades 3 and 4 who utilized Frax and compared their progress with a group of students who did not use the program.

This study showed that Frax offered particular benefits to specific cohorts. Students were 2X more likely to reach proficiency for those students two or more grades below at the start of the school year and 1.4X more likely to reach proficiency for those students one grade level below at the start of the school year. When the researchers compared Frax to other interventions, the standardized effect sizes revealed that Frax was 3X more effective than the average intervention for grade 3 students and 5X more effective than the average intervention for grade 4 students. Additionally, researchers found that compared to matched non-users, students who used Frax met or exceeded growth benchmarks at significantly higher rates, achieved a substantially higher percentage of expected growth and were significantly more likely to reach or exceed grade-level proficiency in the spring, regardless of fall achievement levels. 

An independent research firm confirmed that the study met the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Tier 2 (Moderate) level of evidence, as per the U.S. Department of Education guidelines. This milestone validates Frax’s impact and demonstrates the program’s efficacy. 

Bringing Real-World Knowledge Straight to the Classroom

To present real-world challenges that help students learn concepts while problem-solving and using scientific practices, the team for ExploreLearning’s Gizmo^® product continuously seeks new topics to add to the library of more than 500 simulations. 

When it comes to STEM learning, educators face a variety of challenges, including designing educational experiences that are both scientifically accurate and engaging for students, integrating real-world experts and field scientists directly into classroom learning, and connecting real-world events to the standard science curriculum they teach.

In 2023, ExploreLearning introduced the STEM Pros Collab Crew, a partnership program that brings together passionate STEM specialists to harness their expertise. STEM Pros serve as advisors, helping to develop new STEM Case lessons. This innovative approach to STEM education empowers professionals to impart their unique expertise and motivational insights directly to learners. They divulge details about their everyday work, pivotal moments that have shaped their careers, ongoing research projects, and the inner workings of their laboratories.

The program effectively bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world STEM applications through these partnerships. It enables educators to directly bring the authentic voices and experiences of experts and field scientists to students, thus enriching students’ understanding and appreciation of STEM while opening up their world to future careers in STEM. Through the collaboration between educators and STEM Pros Collab Crew members, three groundbreaking Gizmo STEM Case lessons launched in 2023 garnering nearly 50,000 total views and counting.

Making Math Serious Fun

One of the staples of ExploreLearning's approach to STEM instruction is incorporating fun into every aspect of its solutions. By offering kids an engaging, entertaining experience that they actually want to participate in, the ExploreLearning team is working to ensure that every student has the opportunity to be a "math person." 

To learn more about these case studies and other #CambiumImpact stories, read our 2023 Impact Report.