The Impact of Personalized Learning on Student Achievement and Behavior

• In Event: Technology, Instruction, Cognition, Learning: Current Trends in Theory and Research

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of personalized learning on student academic and behavioral outcomes. Drawing on data collected in 2014-2017 from a Midwest suburban school district, we use a fixed effects model and difference-in-differences approach to examine the short-term impact of personalized learning on mathematics and reading test scores, unexcused absences, and behavior infractions. We find that personalized learning initiatives result in improved test scores for students in the lower-middle achievement quartile. Furthermore, such initiatives result in a marginal reduction in unexcused absences for all students, in particular in the upper-middle achievement quartile, while behavior infractions were reduced among the lowest achievement quartile. These findings provide empirical evidence in support of the effectiveness of implementation of personalized learning initiatives.

Authors

• Richard R. Halverson, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Changhee Lee, Vanderbilt University

• Jennifer Vadas, Wisconsin Center for Education Research

• Gerald Dryer, University of Wisconsin - Madison