ESSA Study with SPIRE

About the Study

In this comprehensive study, EPS partnered with LXD Research, a third-party research company, to examine the relationship between the usage of SPIRE and student literacy achievement at Martin County School District in Florida across grades 3–5 during the 2022–2023 school year. Researchers examined this relationship while controlling for grade, race, ethnicity, gender, English Language Learner (ELL) status, and Fall FAST (Florida’s standardized assessment) scale scores. Findings For all grades, students who completed more SPIRE levels had higher spring standardized assessment achievement. These were statistically significant relationships (t(190) = 2.9, p < .01, Cohen’s d effect size = .44) for students across Grades 3–5.

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ESSA Evidence Level: Promising (Level/Tier 3)

This study provides results to satisfy ESSA evidence requirements for Level/Tier 3 (Promising Evidence) given the study’s well implemented correlational design and positive, statistically significant findings.

Participants

This treatment-only study occurred during the 2022–23 school year and included 192 grades 3–5 students from 13 elementary schools who use SPIRE According to demographic data provided by the district, 47% of students were described as Hispanic. Females made up 35% of the group, while males accounted for 65%. In addition, 34% of students were identified as having Limited English Proficiency (LEP). All students were classified as Special Education (SPED).

Study Design and Procedure

Researchers conducted correlations and analyses of covariance to examine the relationship between SPIRE usage and student literacy achievement while controlling for grade, race, ethnicity, gender, English Language Learner (ELL) status, and Fall FAST scale scores. This study included the students’ 2022–2023 SPIRE progress levels and their standardized assessments (Fall ‘22 as pre-test and Spring ‘23 as post-test) as measures to provide insights into SPIRE implementation and evidence about the potential impacts of SPIRE on student outcomes.
 

Citation
Chase, P. & Schechter, R. (2023, July 10). SPIRE ESSA Level III Study Grades 3–5, 2022–2023. Needham Heights, MA: LXD Research.