Study Background

Middle school math achievement plays an important role in preparing students for success in high school and beyond. To better understand the impact of STEMscopes Math, Accelerate Learning examined 2026 STAAR Math performance in Texas middle schools using STEMscopes Math and compared those results with similar schools using other math programs. The study also examined whether students benefited from using STEMscopes Math across multiple middle school grades.

What We Did

Researchers identified Texas middle schools serving grades 6-8 that used STEMscopes Math and matched them to similar non-STEMscopes schools. Schools were matched on prior achievement, demographics, school size, and school rating to ensure a fair comparison. The final sample included 436 matched middle schools across Texas. Student achievement was compared using 2026 STAAR Math results.

 

Key Findings

STEMscopes Math schools outperformed comparable schools.

Across middle school grades, students in STEMscopes Math schools had higher percentages of students who met or approached grade-level expectations on the 2026 STAAR Math assessment and fewer students who did not meet grade level. The strongest results were observed in 6th and 8th grade.

Results were especially strong when STEMscopes Math was implemented

The study found clear evidence that longer implementation of STEMscopes Math was associated with higher student achievement.

• Schools with no STEMscopes Math had an estimated 44.9% of 8th-grade students meeting grade-level expectations.
• Schools that used STEMscopes Math for one year had an estimated 46.2% meeting grade-level expectations.  
• Schools that used STEMscopes Math for two or more years had an estimated 50.3% meeting grade-level expectations.
  
  

Conclusion

These findings suggest that STEMscopes Math can help improve middle school mathematics achievement and that the benefits grow when students experience the curriculum across multiple years. Schools that implemented STEMscopes Math consistently across middle school showed the strongest outcomes, highlighting the value of sustained, long-term implementation.