Exact Path

Edmentum states that “learning paths are a series of lessons to cover the skills a student is ready to learn, displayed in a set of four skills at a time in the learning progression. These lessons can be from one domain or several domains, depending on what level a student is working in each domain area. Each skill can have one or more lessons associated with it, and a lesson can also be associated with more than one skill in some cases.” 

Edmentum’s most recent research study by Century Analytics, Inc., found that when students engage in and show progress through the completion of lessons – at least 8, but not “in just 8” – students do better academically in that subject area than students not using Exact Path.

• Impacts of Edmentum’s Exact Path on Student Language Arts Achievement
• Impacts of Edmentum’s Exact Path on Student Reading Achievement
• Impacts of Edmentum’s Exact Path on Student Mathematics Achievement

The program is not designed to replace classroom teaching.  It is a supplemental resource tool.  Results of external studies suggest that students who use Exact Path and complete lessons on the learning progression assigned to them by the program will make gains in achievement relative to students who do not complete any lessons.

Though the results from the MAP assessment places students on their learning path, teachers have the ability to use their professional judgment to dictate where a student should be on the learning path. Either based on current performance on the learning path or other data points, teachers have the ability to adjust learning path placements manually, when necessary.

Students are able to access the learning path at home via a tablet or computer.  They can access the program by using their Class Link login. Parents can see what their child is doing and they are encouraged to speak with their child about the work they are doing on the learning path.  Please know, there is no expectation that students use the program at home as part of homework.

Students with IEPs follow the same participation guidelines as all other students for learning path work. If you have concerns regarding the appropriateness of participation of an individual student please contact the student’s teacher.

Edmentum content experts developed the CCSS-aligned Learning Path by sequencing between 282 and 364 skills per subject within each grade-level, based on typical instructional sequencing within a school year.  For each of the three subjects – language arts, mathematics, and reading – the learning progression or “Learning Path” represents an instructional sequence for skills from kindergarten through grade 11 or 12.  Progressions of learning are construct maps that serve to ground the assessments in concrete skills that students can learn and demonstrate.  See for example Briggs et al. (2015), National Research Council (2001), and Wilson (2009)

Student information is shared with Edmentum for the purposes of rostering and product access for students. Information we share with Edmentum is rostered via Class Link, a Single-Sign On and rostering tool used to securely pass our Student Information System rosters over to a vendor.  Mifflinburg Area School District is selective with specific data passed through Class Link. This information is limited to directory information including first and last name, school, grade, gender, social-economic status, and ethnicity.  It is then stored on Edmentum’s servers and governed by Edmentum’s customer privacy policy. Edmentum’s customer privacy policy differs significantly from their general privacy policy. As an Edmentum customer, Mifflinburg Area School District staff and students are governed by the customer privacy policy and the contract signed with Edmentum.

Teachers have access to the data for their own classes.  School administrators and instructional coaches have access to schoolwide data to assess trends, review data, and assist teachers as needed.  Identified staff in IT and the Office of Curriculum and Instruction also have access to review data and assist with technical issues should they arise. Edmentum may use data in technical reports and for ongoing research; however, student data is anonymized and does not contain any personally identifiable information. 

Unlike standardized tests given by the state, results of the diagnostic are available to teachers immediately.  As a result, teachers can use the information to target instruction based on each student’s needs right away.

Data from Exact Path should be used for classroom instructional decisions (e.g., grouping students, reteaching particular skills, etc.)

No.

This program is used to help personalize instruction to each individual student’s needs.  However, teachers can use the data to group students who scored similarly on specific skills. 

Teachers will often have conversations with students to set goals based on their assessment results, learning path, and other classroom instruction. 

Expectations regarding the use of Exact Path have been shared with teachers at the beginning of this school year.  Based on feedback and data, future adjustments will be made as needed.

Teachers and school administrators are able to see data on how long a student spends on a specific area of the learning path or any other area of the program.

Edmentum’s most recent research study by Century Analytics, Inc., found that when students engage in and show progress through the completion of lessons – at least 8, but not “in just 8” – students do better academically in that subject area than students not using Exact Path.  Note: It is important to note that quality of effort to complete and master skills is more important than mandated time.

In the elementary school grades, teachers often have students use Exact Path as a center or station during small group instruction rotations.  During this time, the teacher meets with small groups of students for approximately 20 minutes at a time to work on specific skills while the remaining students work independently or with partners/groups in different work stations/centers. If you have specific questions about how and when your child is using Exact Path, please feel free to ask their teacher for more specific information on their classroom use.  

If a parent has concerns, they should speak with the student’s teacher or building principal.