SCIENTIFICALLY BASED RESEARCH

Carnegie Learning's Cognitive Tutors are the most extensively researched mathematics curricula on the market today. They are based on over 20 years of research on how students think, learn, and apply new knowledge in mathematics. The system is built on cognitive models which assess students' mathematical knowledge on a step-by-step basis and presents activities tailored to their individual skill levels.

Research shows that students using Carnegie Learning's
Algebra I program:

Demonstrate an 85% better performance on assessments of
complex mathematical problem solving and thinking
Perform 30% better on questions from the TIMSS assessment
Experience equivalent results for both minority and non-minority students

A recent random-assignment study showed significant advantages for students using the Cognitive Tutor over a traditional curriculum, even when both groups of students had the same teacher instructor.

Key Characteristics of Reliable Research

Carnegie Learning's Cognitive Tutor

Scientific Method — A hypothesis about what works or how it works is formulated; a treatment group and control group are used in a study to try to disprove the hypothesis

Replicated — Several studies find the same result.

Generalized — Study findings can be applied broadly to students other than the ones studied.

Meets Rigorous Standards — The study's design, measures, and interpretation of results meet rigorous standards of peer review.

Convergent Findings—Results found from various studies all point to the same conclusion.

Scientific Method — Cognitive Tutor Hypothesis: A detailed model of student thinking can drive effective instruction in a personalized, tutorial format.

Replicated — More than 50 peer-reviewed studies on Cognitive Tutors have been published.

Generalized — Multiple control-group evaluations of full Cognitive Tutor courses have been conducted with urban, suburban, and rural students of all ethnicities.

Meets Rigorous Standards — Cognitive Tutor studies has been published in peer-reviewed journals and publications by the National Academy of Science.

Convergent Findings — The effectiveness of Cognitive Tutor products has been shown on state exams, standardized tests, performance assessments, attendance and other measures.

To view our catalog of reports, please visit our Research Reports page.