Many of the blended schools have ongoing access to an instructional technology coach, who helps teachers integrate online curriculum, devices, and face-to-face instruction.
DCPS used the DC Comprehensive Assessment System (CAS)—the district assessment prior to joining PARCC—to compare achievement scores for students using blended learning for math to those receiving traditional instruction. It found that scores for students in blended math programs rose 19 points, compared to an improvement of five points for students in the control group during the same time period. Students using the blended math program started with an average math achievement score below 70%.
DCPS participates in the National Assessment of Educational Progress Trial Urban District Assessment (NAEP TUDA), which is given to 4th- and 8th-grade students. DCPS students improved reading scores by five points and math scores by seven points, which compares favorably to the national average increase of one point for all participating schools in the NAEP TUDA. Similarly, 8th-grade students improved their math scale score by five points and reading scale score by 11 points, whereas the national average was one and two points, respectively.