Study Summary

LXD Research evaluated the impact of Kide Science's play- and story-based STEAM program on kindergarten students' academic growth in math and literacy. This quasi-experimental study analyzed student progress throughout the 2023-2024 academic year, comparing outcomes between Kide classrooms and non-participating classrooms. Results showed that kindergarten students who entered school "Ready" and received Kide Science instruction demonstrated greater stability in math and literacy performance and improved comprehension skills compared to their peers in the control group.

The study included 982 kindergarten students from Forsyth County School District, Georgia, comparing Kide Science implementation to standard district instructional practices. Student outcomes were measured using the Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS) assessment at the beginning and end of the school year. Statistical analyses indicated that students in Kide classrooms, particularly those with teachers who used Kide more frequently, were significantly less likely to experience declines in key academic skills, suggesting a protective effect of frequent Kide use.

Key Findings

Kide Science was used as a supplemental program, with relatively few teachers using it on a weekly or biweekly basis. Students started the school year either “Ready” for kindergarten or below grade level and “Not Ready” for kindergarten. The impact of Kide varied by student readiness.

Students who began the year "Ready" and received Kide Science instruction showed:

• Greater improvement in Comprehension
• Less decline in Addition & Subtraction skills
• Less decline in Communication of Ideas

For students who began the year "Not Ready," exploratory analysis indicated potential benefits when teachers were "super users" with consistent, intensive implementation in ELA subdomains, particularly in Spelling.

Teachers reported that Kide lessons were engaging and effective at promoting student interest in science. They said:

• Students demonstrated increased use of academic language and vocabulary in everyday contexts
• Scheduling constraints were the primary implementation challenge

Promising Evidence: ESSA Level 3

Kide Science has earned ESSA Level 3: Promising Evidence, as determined through an independent evaluation by LXD Research. This designation reflects rigorous analysis showing a clear relationship between higher implementation of Kide Science and improved student learning outcomes. The recognition affirms that Kide’s instructional approach is not only research-aligned but also measurably effective in real classroom settings.

Recognized for Research-Based Design: ESSA Level 4

Kide Science has been formally recognized by LXD Research for meeting the educational impact criteria of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Independent reviewers at ICEI/WIKIT confirmed that Kide meets ESSA Level 4: Demonstrates a Rationale, based on evidence showing its research-driven design is purposefully structured to improve grade-level learning outcomes. This designation affirms Kide Science’s commitment to rigorous, evidence-aligned early STEM education.