SuccessMaker

Intervention description

SuccessMaker is a web-based intervention comprised of individualised activities for pupils who are in danger of falling behind in maths and reading at KS1 and KS2. An initial placement fine-tunes SuccessMaker to match each pupil’s learning level, then individualised practice and continuous assessment is provided with the aim of helping pupils progress at a suitable pace. SuccessMaker Maths provides maths activities with tutorials, and if a pupil is struggling on an activity, the software responds by providing scaffolding in the form of a related tutorial or pre-requisite skill. SuccessMaker Reading includes a range of levelled fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as videos and animations which introduce each reading lesson and aim to help learners focus on key ideas.

Pearson, who provide SuccessMaker, advise that SuccessMaker Reading should be used for 3 sessions each week, or a total of about 60 minutes. Once the initial placement is complete, pupils can be left to work independently. Teachers are able to see real-time data on mastery of skills for each pupil, and to create a variety of reports for maths and reading. Through the dashboard, teachers can forecast and track pupil progress, identify specific areas of difficulty for pupils, and identify groups for targeted interventions.

Professional development/training

Schools signing up for a first-year subscription receive a one-day in-school training course on how to implement SuccessMaker, which includes demonstrations of the resources and data reports available, and is intended for all staff that will be using SuccessMaker. There are also optional online resources for continuing professional development which aim to deepen understanding of SuccessMaker, how to use it effectively, and how to run staff development sessions in the use of SuccessMaker.

Technology

SuccessMaker is a web-based intervention

Evidence Summary

The Best Evidence Encyclopaedia secondary reading review published in 2016 reported that SuccessMaker had a positive impact on reading in Key Stage 3.

Key research

http://www.bestevidence.org.uk/assets/Secondary_reading_educator_summary.pdf