We’re excited to share that ChalkTalk just earned another ESSA Level III certification—this time for helping students improve their ACT Math and ELA scores.
In a recent third-party study, 11th graders who used ChalkTalk just
1 hour a week saw meaningful growth on their ACTs.
The more they practiced on ChalkTalk, the better they scored.
What the study showed:
- Students who spent more time or completed more practice questions on ChalkTalk scored higher on the ACT.
- Gains were seen in both Math and English Language Arts (ELA).
- The results were statistically significant, even with light usage.
This adds to our previous ESSA certification for boosting SAT scores, making ChalkTalk the leading evidence-based platform validated to improve student ELA & math outcomes for high school.
Why this matters:
Schools are looking for real, measurable ways to show measurable score improvements on high stakes exams, especially in states where these exams are the official state test. This study shows ChalkTalk works—even with minimal time investment.
In the United States, scores on high school state tests are more predictive of family income than academic ability. For example, according to the College Board, students from families earning over $200,000 a year score on average more than 300 points higher on the SAT than those from families earning under $20,000. This isn’t because wealthier students are smarter. It’s because they have access to better educational opportunities, private tutors, paid after-school support, and the psychological safety to learn without disruption.
If we’re serious about American dynamism—about strengthening our economy and global competitiveness—we need to start with the individual. The foundation of a thriving society is the success of its citizens, and when you model that success, it comes down to four essential capacities:
- Reading: to consume, enjoy, and critically engage with information, stories, and ideas.
- Writing: to communicate clearly and powerfully, from a job application to a policy memo.
- Math: to reason, calculate, and solve real-world problems with quantitative logic.
- A technical specialization: whether it’s software engineering, carpentry, coding, or sales.
Mo Arbaji, ChalkTalk’s CEO, emphasizes the importance of this focus:
“At ChalkTalk, we focus on building the first three pillars (reading, writing, and math) for every high school student. The fourth pillar (technical specialization) usually emerges post-high school, but it can’t take root without a strong foundation. By addressing this core infrastructure, we’re not just helping students succeed—we’re rebuilding the backbone of American success and quality of life.”
ChalkTalk is now ESSA certified for both SAT and ACT, proving it’s a reliable tool for boosting college and career readiness as well as high school graduation rates.
About LearnPlatform
LearnPlatform researchers collectively possess over 70 years of experience in education research and preK–16 program evaluation. Their interdisciplinary team includes innovative researchers with diverse and advanced degrees in Developmental Psychology, Educational Research and Evaluation, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Mathematics Education, Sociology, and Teacher Education and Learning Sciences. They are certified in What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Group Design Standards and have extensive experience designing curriculum studies to meet WWC and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) standards.