Research and efficacy

Accelerate student learning

Newsela products are proven to be effective for all learners by rigorous studies aligned to ESSA tiers for evidence.

Committed to delivering evidence-based products

We pride ourselves on conducting robust and rigorous qualitative and quantitative research to ensure that our solutions are engaging and effective in driving learning outcomes.

Newsela ELA users gained 4 additional months of literacy skill growth in Ohio district

This ESSA Tier II study examined the literacy skill growth of middle school students in an Ohio school district. Researchers compared students who read and took quizzes on Newsela ELA at least two times per week to a control group. The study found that, compared to students in the control group, reading scores of students in Newsela ELA classrooms grew 24% more percentiles, the equivalent of 4 additional months of literacy skill growth. Newsela ELA was 2x as effective as the average 8th-grade reading program.

Newsela Social Studies users showed the equivalent of an additional year of instruction on the state social studies exam in Wisconsin district

This ESSA Tier II study compared eighth-grade students who used Newsela Social Studies weekly to a control group. Regular use of Newsela Social Studies was linked to a 6 percentile advantage on the Wisconsin Forward Social Studies Summative exam, 2x the expected outcomes of non-Newsela peers. This positive impact on achievement was consistent regardless of student race, gender, and/or language status.