MyLab Math Developmental Math Efficacy Report

For an overview of MyLab Math for Developmental Math and more information:

Download a summary

Read the full research report

Learn more about the research behind the findings

Is the use of MyLab Math for Developmental Math associated with students being more likely to pass the course?
A study exploring use of MyLab Math for Developmental Math at five community colleges 

We wanted to explore if the use of MyLab Math for Developmental Math is associated with students being more likely to pass the course. So, we worked with instructors from five higher education institutions who used MyLab Math in their Fall 2015 developmental math course.

The study explored whether the use of MyLab Math was correlated with achievement on independently administered course exams.

We measured usage by looking at the number of additional attempts students made at answering questions across different types of activities (quizzes, tests, and homework). We measured performance by average scores across each of the activities. We also measured the number of learning objectives mastered.

Researchers found that making more attempts on MyLab Math homework assignments, and getting higher grades in MyLab Math homework, quiz, or test assignments, was associated with a higher probability of passing the course.

Is the use of MyLab Math Developmental Math associated with students getting higher course grades?
A study exploring use of MyLab Math for Developmental Math at a four-year college

We asked SRI International to work with Arizona State University, where students used MyLab Math in an introductory mathematics course across three campuses.

Usage, performance, and mastered learning objectives were measured in the same way as the study at the community colleges described above, except this study used quiz, test, and QuizMe attempts instead of homework. Students spent most of their time in QuizMe and nearly two-thirds of students did not complete any homework.

SRI found that increased attempts, higher average scores on quizzes and tests, and mastering a higher number of courseware learning objectives were associated with statistically significant higher course grades.

However, increased attempts and higher scores on MyLab Math QuizMe activities were associated with statistically significant lower course grades. A possible explanation could be that lower-skilled learners were repeating QuizMe activities until they achieved a score greater than 80% without fully mastering the concepts.

Read our MathLab research report

In the context of the study conducted at five higher education institutions in the US, where MyLab Math was used in the Fall 2015 developmental math course, Pearson is able to make the following relational (correlational, not predictive) statements about the efficacy of MyLab Math:

On average, for students who were newly enrolled in Fall 2015, an increase of 18 attempts on MyLab Math homework was associated with a fivefold increase in the probability of passing a developmental math course. 

Evidence showed that higher homework, quiz, and test scores in MyLab Math were related to a higher probability of passing the course (for example, getting at least a C letter grade).

In the context of the study conducted at Arizona State University for students enrolled in an introductory mathematics course, Pearson is able to make the following relational (correlational, not predictive) statements about the efficacy of MyLab Math:

Mastering more MyLab Math learning objectives is associated with higher course grades and a higher likelihood of passing the course.

Making more attempts in MyLab Math quizzes and tests was associated with a higher likelihood of passing the course and receiving higher course grades.

Earning higher average quiz and test scores in MyLab Math was associated with a higher likelihood of passing the course and receiving higher course grades.

Making more attempts on MyLab Math QuizMe and receiving higher QuizMe scores were related to lower course grades.

Receiving higher QuizMe scores was related to a lower likelihood of passing the course.

But what if students were already high achievers?

All of our efficacy statements reflect a relationship between MyLab Math for Developmental Math and performance above and beyond students’ prior achievement.

That means, for the whole sample of learners in the ASU study and the newly enrolled students in the study of five higher education institutions, researchers took into account how well students were already doing, and measured the contribution of MyLab Math on top of that.

Hear directly from our customers and students about how they are using MyLab Math Developmental Math

Homework and final course success

Pulaski Technical College (PTC), US, noticed improved retention after implementing MyLab Math to standardize course delivery and give students access to digital learning materials anytime.

Read the educator study

“[MyLab Math’s coordinator course functionality] allows us to see...where students are struggling and then evaluate where we may need to modify the curriculum.”

— Ebony Conley, Interim Dean of Mathematics, Natural & Social Sciences Division, UA-PTC, US

Student and instructor feedback

Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College, US, used MyLab Math to let students progress more quickly through the developmental course sequence while maintaining student success.

Read the educator study

"I believe [the benefits of MyLab Math] are numerous...you can work on math anywhere, it gives examples and even a tab that works it out with you when you receive a new problem.”

— Student, Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College, US

Explore all of our reports