Program Description
Zearn Math is a nonprofit, online program for students in grades K–8, used as a supplement to daily math instruction. The program includes adaptive digital math lessons that students complete during classroom math blocks, intervention periods, or tutoring sessions to enhance understanding of grade-level math concepts. Each lesson includes activities to build procedural fluency, guided video lessons that introduce math concepts through a Concrete-to-Pictorial-to-Abstract (CPA) progression, and a closing mastery-based quiz on which students must score 100% in order to advance to the next lesson. Throughout students’ learning, lessons adapt in real time to provide personalized feedback and scaffolding— supporting students through challenges while keeping them engaged in grade-level content.
Zearn Math, as implemented in both studies with significant positive results, has accompanying professional development and coaching support for school leaders. This support helps schools establish dedicated time in the schedule for usage, build effective routines, and use data to ensure students reach the recommended dosage of three digital lessons per week. It often includes regular check-ins with a Zearn coach to review progress and address challenges. Motivational strategies, such as classroom-based challenges and recognition materials, are sometimes used to boost engagement and promote consistent lesson completion.
Program Outcomes
Three studies, including one randomized controlled trial and two matched comparison group studies, evaluated the impact of Zearn Math. The first study, a school-level randomized controlled trial conducted during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years in a large urban Texas district, included over 10,000 students in Grades 3–5. Sixty-four schools were randomly assigned to either implement Zearn Math as a supplemental program or continue with business-as-usual instruction. Treatment schools received dedicated implementation support that included professional development, coaching, and progress monitoring. Students in Zearn schools significantly outperformed those in control schools on the NWEA MAP (effect size = +0.11 overall; +0.13 for students not proficient at baseline). On the Texas STAAR assessment, results were directionally positive but not statistically significant (effect size = +0.07 overall; +0.10 for students not proficient at baseline).
The second study took place during the 2023–24 school year with students from three Louisiana school districts in Grades 4–8 who used Zearn as a supplemental program with dedicated implementation support. Students using Zearn as a supplemental program with dedicated implementation support scored significantly higher than demographically and academically similar non-Zearn users on the state assessment, LEAP (effect size = +0.20). Impacts were consistent across race/ethnicity and other student groups.
The third study, conducted during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years in a large urban district that implemented Zearn as a pilot curriculum without full implementation support, found no significant differences between Zearn and comparison students overall or on the state assessment in the subset of tested grades, though Zearn was associated with usage-linked gains and broadly positive stakeholder perceptions.
Across all three studies, the average effect size = +0.09, with the statistically significant results from the RCT qualifying Zearn Math for a Strong rating.
Staffing Requirements
No additional personnel are required to use Zearn Math. Zearn’s Partnerships Team works closely with designated points of contact at the school or district to provide tailored support—including onboarding, rostering setup, and ongoing check-ins to support implementation. Once set up, Zearn’s intuitive platform enables schools to manage usage and support educators independently, with access to self-service resources and optional professional learning.
To strengthen implementation, Zearn also offers optional school-based coaching to help establish strong usage routines and support data-driven implementation.
Professional Development/Training
Zearn offers professional development to support educators and leaders in effectively implementing Zearn Math. Live sessions help educators launch Zearn and strengthen implementation over time by using data to identify student needs and inform instruction. These sessions are designed to fit into educators’ schedules and are available both onsite and virtually. Zearn offers foundational and advanced sessions to tailor professional development to implementation goals.
Zearn also provides on-demand professional development to build pedagogical content knowledge for each K–5 math unit, along with a comprehensive library of asynchronous resources—including webinars, tutorials, and implementation tools.
Technology
The program is accessed via a web browser, making it simple for schools to get started quickly. Zearn Math can be accessed via Windows, Mac OS, Chromebooks, iPads, and Android devices. Supported browsers include Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.