An independent study conducted by Johns Hopkins University shows that a program designed to reverse “summer slide” showed an impact on student engagement and Lexile growth.
A team of researchers studied 280 New York City Middle School students, 17 teachers and five coaches from New York City’s Middle School Quality Initiative (MSQI) over seven weeks who participated in LightSail’s SummerSail program. They evaluated the technology’s impact on student learning, impact on reader identity, and perceptions of the technology. The study found that students who read on LightSail for 15 minutes per day showed growth in their Lexile scores. The demographics of the student cohort studied are 91.7 percent minority, with 88.8 percent eligible for free/ reduced lunch and 12.7 percent are English Language Learners (ELL).
LightSail’s program uses algorithms that connect readers with texts based largely upon MetaMetrics’ Lexile reading assessment that is used in classrooms across the country. The platform tracks student reading behavior and achievement outcomes while it uses personalized libraries and other learning technologies to motivate students.
