Proficiency with fractions is crucial, setting the stage for advanced work with math like algebra. A new two-year study found that all students who used ExploreLearning Frax met or exceeded 3rd-grade proficiency standards, with continued improvement on 4th-grade fractions standards compared to students who did not use Frax.
Learn more about the results a charter school experienced with school-wide implementation of Frax.
What is Frax?
Frax uses the latest research to help students develop a conceptual understanding of fractions through adaptive and engaging learning. Frax is a game-based, zero-entry program, allowing all students to improve fractions knowledge and build confidence as they complete carefully scaffolded missions.
About the research
In the fall of 2022, a cohort of teachers from diverse classrooms around the county participated in a year-long Frax classroom user testing program. One teacher who participated was Jessica*, a 3rd-grade teacher in the Western United States.
After Jessica’s students used Frax, her school was so impressed with the improvements in fractions knowledge that they decided to implement Frax as a pilot with all 3rd-grade students and assess the outcomes the following year. This research spotlights the charter school’s student growth along with insights from Jessica on the power of Frax on student understanding.
*Name changed for this research publication.
Charter school population
This research examined outcomes at a top-ranking K-6 public charter school located in a large suburb. The school outperformed most schools in the county for state test scores in both proficiency and growth. Student demographics reflected the district as a whole (70% white, 15% Hispanic, 20% economically disadvantaged).
While the charter school performed well overall, student achievement greatly varied across classrooms, including high-achieving students and students significantly behind who needed targeted interventions. The charter school split students into “advanced” and “regular” level classes. Students in the regular classes represented diverse knowledge levels, including below-grade-level understanding.
Study details
Researchers focused on comparisons across typical-level classrooms to measure Frax's impact on fractions understanding and overall math performance. The charter school utilized iReady Diagnostic testing and state assessment fractions scores to assess student progress in math.
Initial challenges in fractions learning
In Year 1, the ExploreLearning research team worked with Jessica as she used Frax with her students for the first time.
At the beginning of the year, 82% of Jessica’s students demonstrated below grade-level math proficiency expectations and 29% of students qualified for special education support. Many students also had significant challenges due to COVID-related learning disruptions and little to no pre-existing fractions knowledge.
Year 1: Frax's impact on student confidence
In the spring, Jessica rated the degree of change she observed in her 3rd-grade students after using Frax in the classroom. Jessica observed improved math engagement and enjoyment along with increased math test scores.
Key finding: Improved student enjoyment and engagement
When teaching fractions, Jessica noticed increased enjoyment in math. She commented that her students enjoyed learning fractions with the program, citing gamification, rewards, and room personalization as particularly engaging aspects of Frax.
This enjoyment led to higher levels of learning, engagement, and confidence in class.
“Whenever I ask anything about fractions, their hands are the first ones up…and they’re so proud to tell me they learned it on Frax.”
-Jessica
Year 1: Frax improves fractions proficiency
After just a few weeks of using Frax, Jessica noticed improved student performance on math assessments. At the end of Year 1, Jessica observed increased fractions understanding and large gains on state standardized assessments compared to previous years.
“I had more level fours [above grade level] than I have ever seen in a grade-level class before. And on the fractions area of the state testing…compared to the other grade level class, my class did a lot better. Even my students who scored overall below grade level on the end-of-year testing scored on grade level in fractions…My students are better prepared for 4th grade than ever before.”
-Jessica
Key finding: Increased grade-level proficiency
88% of Jessica’s students scored below grade-level proficiency standards on fall iReady math assessments. After using Frax, Jessica’s students saw significant improvement in achievement of math standards. All students who were two or more grade levels below level in the fall improved at least one entire grade level from fall to spring.
Researchers compared Jessica’s students (who used Frax) to the other 3rd-grade math classroom with similar baseline understanding levels (who did not use Frax). By the spring, 70% of students who used Frax approached or met grade-level math proficiency, compared to 52% of students who did not use Frax.
On average, students who used Frax achieved 149% of their iReady typical growth goals compared to 102% in the other class. Similarly, students who used Frax achieved 102% of their stretch growth goals, compared to only 71% in the other class.
Key finding: Improved state assessment performance
Students who frequently used Frax also demonstrated significantly greater fractions knowledge compared to students who received traditional instruction.
100% of students who used Frax met state assessment standards for 3rd-grade fractions proficiency, with 53% exceeding standards. In comparison, 26% of students in the other 3rd-grade classroom failed to meet proficiency standards, and only 26% exceeded standards.
This student improvement resulted from using Frax for around 16 hours, demonstrating the efficacy and efficiency of the Frax in improving fractions knowledge for all learners in a relatively short period.
Year 2 results: Long-term benefits of Frax usage
Researchers followed Jessica’s students the following year to see how the conceptual understanding of fractions they developed with Frax in 3rd grade would impact their understanding of 4th-grade content.
The team examined student test scores on the state fractions assessment in 4th grade and compared students’ achievement to students who did not use Frax in grades 3 or 4.
Key finding: Continued success with 4th-grade fractions proficiency
Students who used Frax in 3rd grade outperformed students who did not use Frax on the 4th-grade fractions standards test. 44% of Jessica’s students scored above standards, compared to 27% of the 3rd-grade class who received typical instruction.
The compounding gains from Year 1 to Year 2 highlight how Frax helps students develop a foundational understanding of fractions, which makes learning increasingly complex fractions content easier.
School-wide impact with a Frax pilot
The charter school's administration team was impressed with student outcomes and wanted to see how Frax would impact achievement for all students. The school implemented a Frax pilot during the 2023-2024 school year.
Jessica and another 3rd-grade teacher used Frax, and researchers assessed student performance on the state fractions assessment. 93% of students in both 3rd-grade classes performed at or above state grade-level standards expectations for fractions.
Bring Frax to your school
Findings from this two-year research showcase the power of Frax on fractions learning in the crucial elementary years. When students use Frax, they develop a foundational understanding of fractions that empowers them to succeed on classroom and state assessments, with gains that continue into advanced grade levels.
Data from the school-wide pilot also underscores how easy it is for a school to get Frax up and running in their math program, with large impacts on student performance that teachers and administrators can observe in the first year of Frax implementation.
Are you interested in trying Frax in your classroom or school? Contact us for pilot information, or get started today with a free classroom trial!
