Measuring the Efficacy of Zearn Math in Louisiana

I study the impact of an online math learning program on 3rd through 5th grade math achievement in Louisiana. Employing Zearn Math usage metrics and administrative data from the Louisiana Department of Education, I find that grade-levels that programmatically used Zearn Math scored, on average, about 0.03 standard deviation units higher on Louisiana’s statewide math assessment. A placebo test using English language arts scores and several robustness checks suggest this may be an underestimate of the true effect. These findings come at a crucial time as pandemic-related school closures have led to a twentyfold increase in public school spending on Zearn-related materials between July 2019 and July 2021 and its presence continues to expand across the nation.