A new study released today found that using Discovery Education’s digital science textbook is associated with higher science achievement scores in elementary school students.
Conducted by independent research firm Merola Research, LLC, the study reviewed results on the 2013 Science Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) for fourth grade students in York County, South Carolina. During the 2012-2013 school year, Rock Hill School District Three partnered with Discovery Education to pilot the Discovery Education Science Techbook, a digital textbook for their K-5 science curriculum. Included in the implementation was customized professional development from Discovery Education’s professional development team, which supported elementary school educators as they integrated the Science Techbook into classroom instruction.
Key findings from the study include:
·Fourth grade students whose teachers used Science Techbook for instruction scored six points higher on average on the 2013 Science PASS than fourth grade students whose teachers had not used Science Techbook for instruction.
·Students in classrooms using Science Techbook were more likely to score at the “exemplary” performance level by exceeding grade level standards than students in classrooms not using Science Techbook.
·21 percent of students using the digital textbook scored at or above the exemplary level on the Science PASS, compared to 15 percent of students who were not using the digital textbook.
“This study shows that Discovery Education’s Techbook series has the power to advance achievement when used by talented educators who are deeply committed to student success and passionate about transforming the learning experience with digital media,” said Dr. Harriet Jaworowski, Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Accountability at Rock Hill School District Three.
Discovery Education Science Techbook series is a digital solution that replaces traditional textbooks and features video; interactive text; digital simulations and explorations; virtual and hands-on labs; and an interactive glossary with animations, audio and video.
Students throughout the district currently use Discovery Education Streaming, a library of 100,000 digital assets aligned to state and national standards, as well as the Discovery Education Techbook series, a digital textbook solution which includes K-12 science and middle school social studies subjects.
To review a full copy of the study, visit: http://www.discoveryeducation.com//what-we-offer/partner-success-stories/explore/rock-hill-schools-district-stem-instruction-results-in-higher-pass-scores.cfm.
