Research from nonprofit WestEd shows that middle school students benefited from the science curriculum
BROOKLYN, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Amplify, a publisher of next-generation curriculum and assessment programs, announced today that a gold-standard independent study led by the nonprofit research, development, and service agency WestEd, and with funding support by the National Science Foundation, found promising evidence that the Amplify Science middle school curriculum has a significant positive impact on student learning.
WestEd researchers found that:
- The estimated impact was statistically significant (p < 0.001) and corresponds to an effect size of 0.36. This impact is consistent with the average student using the Amplify Science curriculum moving up 14 percentiles compared to their peers who used other materials.
- The results were similar across gender and racial groups, and for students with varying levels of math and literacy achievement.
- More than 80 percent of teachers agreed that they and their students benefited from using Amplify Science curriculum.
- Almost 90 percent of teachers reported that Amplify Science supported them in engaging students in science discourse.
The randomized controlled study focused on physical science for grade 7 and included 28 teachers and more than 1700 students across three districts that served diverse populations.
Amplify Science is the leading phenomena-based curriculum for grades PreK–8. The program blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities, and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write, and argue like real scientists and engineers. Amplify Science was developed by the science education experts at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science and the digital learning team at Amplify. As the Lawrence’s first curriculum designed to address three-dimensional science standards, Amplify Science reflects state-of-the-art practices in science teaching and learning. Each unit of Amplify Science engages students in a relevant, real-world problem where they investigate scientific phenomena, engage in collaboration and discussion, and develop models or explanations in order to arrive at solutions.
“Amplify Science delivers on our promise to improve student learning outcomes and set students up for success,” said Steven Zavari, senior vice president and general manager of STEM curriculum at Amplify. “With studies like this one, districts can look at real impacts on educators and students when selecting curriculum for core subjects.”
WestEd, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities throughout the United States and abroad to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults.
“As more science programs are designed for the new science standards, it is increasingly important to have evidence of the impact on teaching and learning,” said Christopher Harris, senior director of science and engineering education research at WestEd. “The results are promising and show the potential effect that high-quality NGSS-designed programs can have in middle school classrooms.”
About Amplify
A pioneer in K–12 education since 2000, Amplify is leading the way in next-generation curriculum and assessment. Our core and supplemental programs in ELA, math, and science engage all students in rigorous learning and inspire them to think deeply, creatively, and for themselves. Our formative assessment products turn data into practical instructional support to help all students build a strong foundation in early reading and math. All of our programs provide teachers with powerful tools that help them understand and respond to the needs of every student. Today, Amplify serves ten million students in all 50 states. For more information, visit amplify.com.
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