Newsela ELA for Middle School Students in California

January 19, 2024

Efficacy study preview

Consistent Newsela ELA use is associated with higher SBA ELA scores

This ESSA Level II study examines the relationship between consistent Newsela ELA use and spring Smarter Balanced ELA performance for California students in grades 6–8.

Key Findings

What the study found

Students who consistently used Newsela ELA scored statistically significantly higher on the spring 2023 SBA than matched non-users.

+4 percentile points

Overall SBA performance

The study estimated that a comparison student at the 50th percentile would perform at the 54th percentile had they used Newsela ELA.

+5 percentile points

Hispanic/Latino student performance

The study estimated that a Hispanic/Latino comparison student at the 50th percentile would perform at the 55th percentile had they used Newsela ELA.

2× per week

Consistent use

Students in the consistent-use group engaged with Newsela ELA about twice a week on average during the 2022–23 school year.

ESSA Level II

Moderate Evidence

The quasi-experimental study met ESSA Level II requirements for Moderate Evidence.

Authored By

Molly Henschel, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Research, LearnPlatform by Instructure

Andrew Scanlan
Researcher, LearnPlatform by Instructure

All Resources Efficacy Study & Validity Reports

Newsela ELA for Middle School Students in California

Efficacy study preview

Consistent Newsela ELA use is associated with higher SBA ELA scores

This ESSA Level II study examines the relationship between consistent Newsela ELA use and spring Smarter Balanced ELA performance for California students in grades 6–8.

Key Findings

What the study found

Students who consistently used Newsela ELA scored statistically significantly higher on the spring 2023 SBA than matched non-users.

+4 percentile points

Overall SBA performance

The study estimated that a comparison student at the 50th percentile would perform at the 54th percentile had they used Newsela ELA.

+5 percentile points

Hispanic/Latino student performance

The study estimated that a Hispanic/Latino comparison student at the 50th percentile would perform at the 55th percentile had they used Newsela ELA.

2× per week

Consistent use

Students in the consistent-use group engaged with Newsela ELA about twice a week on average during the 2022–23 school year.

ESSA Level II

Moderate Evidence

The quasi-experimental study met ESSA Level II requirements for Moderate Evidence.

Authored By

Molly Henschel, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Research, LearnPlatform by Instructure

Andrew Scanlan
Researcher, LearnPlatform by Instructure

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Newsela ELA for Middle School Students in California

Consistent Newsela ELA use is associated with higher SBA ELA scores

What the study found

Overall SBA performance

Hispanic/Latino student performance

Consistent use

Moderate Evidence

Newsela ELA for Middle School Students in California

Consistent Newsela ELA use is associated with higher SBA ELA scores

What the study found

Overall SBA performance

Hispanic/Latino student performance

Consistent use

Moderate Evidence

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Download this resource

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Additional content

Newsela Writing Boosts Middle School Reading and Writing Outcomes

Consistent Newsela Social Studies use linked to nearly one additional year of growth in Middle School Social Studies

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