Does it work?
No matter how much you like everything you’ve learned so far in this course, NONE of it matters if it doesn’t work.
Luckily, the research that exists is conclusive that Mastery Learning increases student achievement. In fact, the meta-analysis of 108 independent studies of the effects of Mastery Learning showed that it has moderate to large positive effects on student performance (Kulik, Kulik, & Bangert-Drowns, 1990).
The synthesis of research also demonstrates that the results of well-designed studies show extremely positive student learning outcomes and teacher variables (Guskey & Gates 1986).
Additionally, The Grid Method, in accordance with the academic literature that exists should cause “…80 percent or more of the students in a class [to] reach the same high level that only about 20 percent do under more traditional approaches to instruction” (Guskey 1997).
This all provides a strong rightward shift to the traditional bell curve seen in the context of whole class or teacher paced instructional models. This is the exact result that we have seen when implementing The Grid Method in classrooms.
See the data below comparing a traditional classroom to a Grid Method classroom.
Traditional Instruction Results:
These results show the traditional unit results from a 7th Grade Science classroom. The traditional bell curve has appeared showing an alarming number of students meeting only a 65% mastery of the content and many others below that level of competency.
Only a small percentage of students tested showed full mastery of the content above 80%.
The Grid Method Results
After implementing The Grid Method you can see a drastic increase in student achievement and the discussed rightward shift from the traditional bell curve.
These results have been repeated in classrooms, schools, and districts that have implemented The Grid Method system.
Additional results from pilot classrooms can also be reviewed HERE.
Additional Benefits / Results:
The Grid Method has also been shown to help in many other ways for teachers and schools that have implemented it. Not only has it reduced management issues for many teachers, but it has helped them meet the challenges of providing consistent instruction that is inclusive of best practices in education.
As any teacher knows, there are an array of initiatives, policies, and new strategies every year that can make teaching with best practices seem like trying to hit a moving target (or 10 moving targets!)
Some of the polices that are considered best practices are listed below in this diagram:
These are only a few of the current initiatives or strategies that you may be trying to work with in your classroom. To be honest, there should probably be about 20 more bubbles around that “best practices” center.
The Grid Method is designed to have these best practices and many others embedded into a single system. This means that instead of seeing it as “one more thing” The Grid Method can be the ONE thing that you have to focus on to ensure that you are providing high quality instruction and implementing best practices in education.
This has also been supported by our teachers getting the highest marks possible on their state and administrator evaluations by implementing the system as prescribed.
If you want to learn more about the amazing results you will be seeing in your own classroom watch the Part 7 video below!