SuccessMaker®

SuccessMaker^® was found to have no discernible effects on alphabetics and reading fluency, and potentially positive effects on comprehension and general literacy achievement.

The SuccessMaker^® program is a set of computer-based courses used to supplement regular classroom reading instruction in grades K–8. Using adaptive lessons tailored to a student’s reading level, SuccessMaker^® aims to improve understanding in areas such as phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and concepts of print. "Foundations" courses aim to help students develop and maintain reading skills. "Exploreware" courses aim to provide opportunities for exploration, open-ended instruction, and development of analytical skills. The computer analyzes students’ skills development and assigns specific segments of the program, introducing new skills as they become appropriate. As the student progresses through the program, performance is measured by the probability of the student answering the next exercise correctly, which determines the next steps of the lesson.

Three studies of SuccessMaker^® meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence standards with reservations. The three studies included 450 students, ranging in age from nine to 16 years, who attended elementary, middle, and middle-high schools in Alabama, Illinois, and Virginia.

Based on these three studies, the WWC considers the extent of evidence for SuccessMaker^® to be small for alphabetics, reading fluency, and general literacy achievement, and medium to large for comprehension.