MathScore is Research-Based

MathScore.com^® applies mastery-based learning principles to enable students to learn math efficiently. Benjamin Bloom pioneered this approach with his Learning for Mastery model, with refinements made by Block. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastery_learning for more information. The philosophy behind mastery-based learning is the belief that you must truly master each foundational skill before moving onto the more advanced concepts that apply it. As a simple example, you should not learn long multiplication until you have first memorized your multiplication math facts. Applied in a MathScore context, our practice topics systematically build up mastery with a progression of carefully designed levels.

One aspect of mastery based learning that we apply consistently is a concept called "scaffolding". For example, our Fraction Simplification topic focuses on how to simplify a variety of fractions, including mixed fractions and improper fractions. When a student makes a mistake, we display a nice step-by-step explanation for how to properly simplify that fraction. However, when the student works on our Fraction Addition topic and makes a mistake, our solution explanation assumes that the student knows how to simplify fractions. Therefore, in the solution explanation, we don't show the steps for how to simplify a fraction; we simply focus on the steps for adding fractions and we display fraction simplification as one step without showing the details. That's the essence of scaffolding - we remove the support steps for fraction simplification because we assume that the student is now self-reliant in that skill.

"In accordance with No Child Left Behind, MathScore incorporates research-backed learning principles. Continuous feedback and built-in assessment tools enable students to learn efficiently, parents to remain involved with their children and teachers to easily and cost-effectively work with all of their students. MathScore works."
- John Cradler, Educational Technology Expert

MathScore Users Rose from 45.2% Proficient to 83.3% Proficient in an EETT Grant-funded Program in 2009

More important than our research basis is the fact that MathScore is academically effective. You can find some testimonials here.