Implementation Success Stories
Aquin Jr./Sr. High School
Aquin Catholic Schools • Freeport, IL
General Facts
Grades: 6 - 12
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: Gifted and Talented, At-Risk Students, Core Curriculum
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 33%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 6 hours per week; 54 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Middle School Math Course 2, Pre-Algebra, High School Preparation for Algebra 1, Algebra 1,
High School Geometry, PreCalculus
Rich Chang, Teacher
After conducting an anonymous survey of the students and their parents, 95 percent rated their experience
with ALEKS as “highly satisfied” or better. With over 40 students using the ALEKS system as their core math class,
we have seen our outstanding students excel and regain their enthusiasm for math and the students that have
traditionally found math more challenging have thrived. It has been amazing to see a classroom full of students
come to class, sit down, and immediately get to work without any hesitation or prodding from the teacher. The
students are engaged and are willing to spend more time doing math work than if they were in a traditional
classroom.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
We faced the traditional challenge of pace. Being a small school, we could not have multiple offerings of a math
course that is paced to fit a like group of students. Therefore, we risked boring our talented students and leaving
our challenged students behind.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
42 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We took our very talented students and our challenged students and recommended to their parents/guardians
that they be placed in the ALEKS system. We started off by offering ALEKS over the summer, not for a grade,
but to get the students and teachers used to the system, and to better prepare the students for the school year.
Once the school year began, each student took a comprehensive assessment in their course and started their
course from where ALEKS placed them.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No. The students are able to move around their pies.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
Students use ALEKS 100 percent of the time. They take a progress assessment on Monday, then enter the
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 4
Aquin Jr./Sr. High School
Aquin Catholic Schools • Freeport, IL
Learning Mode for the remainder of the week.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
The teacher has become a “helper” rather than a lecturer.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
They are required to get three and a half hours in the classroom and average 30 minutes per night for six hours
a week.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
We have an informational session at the beginning of summer to describe the ALEKS system, our approach, and
how parents can/should work with their children and monitor progress. We then have discussions with each
parent and student at the end of the first semester.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS is their complete math homework.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
Students receive three weekly grades and one final grade. The breakdown is as follows: hours per week equals 25
percent; topics mastered per hour equals 25 percent; relative progress (a ratio of how many concepts a student
learns in a week to how many they have outstanding) equals 40 percent; and a final exam (comprehensive
assessment) equals 10 percent.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes, students are measured on their weekly, relative progress. After their Monday progress assessment, we
record their remaining concepts and students that learn 10 percent of their remaining concepts that week
receive a 100 percent.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
For the first time, the students feel completely in control of their progress and fully aware of where they are and
what they need to do. I have noticed that, without exception, this control gives the students a higher stake in
their own learning.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
When determining how to grade, make sure you use a “balanced scorecard” approach. Each measure you come
up with must have a counter measure so the students don’t learn how to “game” the system. For example, we
measure hours/week, but if we did not also measure topics mastered/hour, students could simply log into the
system and stare at their computer.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 5
Beachwood Middle School
Beachwood City School District • Beachwood, OH
General Facts
Grades: 7 - 8
Scenario: One-to-One Laptop Program
Purpose: Improve State Test Scores, Supplement
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 40%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3 hours per week, 30+ hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 2, Middle School Math Course 3,
Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1
Barbara Urbanski, Teacher
This is my third year using ALEKS, and I am totally sold on it. It is quite amazing how accurate the results are
with regard to student testing and progress. I have also found that students who complete a minimum of three
hours per week in ALEKS are succeeding in class. With ALEKS, I am able to design reviews and quizzes to help
students at all levels. Also, if there is question or an idea that I have about the program, I am able to contact
ALEKS Customer Support and have the question answered very quickly.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
We struggled with correctly assigning work to students at various levels in a given classroom.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
1 day per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
40 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
I generally look at the textbook to see where the students
should be by a certain time of the year. I set the objectives for
the quarter and give students an opportunity to earn bonus
points for finishing early. This encourages the students to
work toward the goal. I also create quizzes that coincide with
the units that we are working on throughout the year. ALEKS
Quizzes allow me to make sure that students are working on
a particular concept. I also create classes to move students to
when they are progressing at a faster pace than other students.
I use the report feature to see how students are progressing. I
also require that all students have a notebook while they are
working on ALEKS. I allow students to periodically use their
notebooks for a requested ALEKS Assessment that is taken
during class for a grade.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 6
Beachwood Middle School
Beachwood City School District • Beachwood, OH
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
I use the ALEKS Intermediate Objectives to structure my class. I also create quizzes in the order in which concepts
are covered in the textbook. I find that if I allow students to work at their own pace, they can either cover
concepts that need more practice or they can move ahead.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
I usually have an “ALEKS Day” on Fridays, and students look forward to it. Because their homework is ALEKS, I
have students keep a notebook for their work and they are instructed to write down any concepts they do not
understand. The students are constantly asking questions and working throughout the class period. They are
also encouraged to answer questions from their peers.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
My teaching approach has changed in that I assign ALEKS for all homework (with minimal exceptions). Students
are able to ask questions during lecture that correspond to concepts they are learning in the program.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Three hours of homework are required every week. I see a direct correlation between those completing their
homework (the right way) and those achieving good grades. I give them their hours on Monday and keep a
running total from week to week. I make sure to monitor their progress from home. The students really like that
I can see them working at night. I encourage them by emailing them when I see them working online.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I am careful to inform the parents early on about the benefits of ALEKS. Parents are particularly excited to know
that the students can work ahead and not be held back. I encourage parents to email me with questions if
they have any problems. I also notify parents when their child meets the Intermediate Objectives I set using
the ALEKS Teacher Module. Parents are quick to review these objectives and encourage their child to complete
remaining objectives.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
Yes, 100 percent.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
Students can earn 50 points per week. I tell students that if they complete their ALEKS homework, they will not
earn anything lower than a C-. The grading system breaks down as follows: ALEKS homework is 50 percent of
their grade; ALEKS Quizzes and final is 26.5 percent of their grade; pencil/paper test/homework is 23.5 percent
of their grade. In addition to ALEKS Quizzes, I also have my students take an ALEKS final at the end of the school
year. I test my students by giving them a new ALEKS Assessment that they need to take in class. I also put
together a final by setting up two ALEKS Quizzes with concepts that are covered in our texts.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
I check the student progress at least every week. If I see that a student is not progressing, I speak with the
student. I also give students their ALEKS hours every Monday so they know where they should be with regard
to time.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 7
Beachwood Middle School
Beachwood City School District • Beachwood, OH
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Students are always looking at their own progress and looking at how many concepts they have learned. I
believe that the use of ALEKS has given some of my “regular” students the opportunity to excel and earn their
way into an advanced class. I always enjoy having a student come to class and inform me that she just finished
an assessment and now has more concepts completed. My students know that I watch their progress and they
are very eager to announce their ability to learn new material. Students who are working in ALEKS are definitely
earning better grades on exams. I can look at a student’s total time in ALEKS and can almost predict what grade
she is earning for the class. My first-year ALEKS students have come back to me and have stated that high school
math is “so easy” because they had already seen many concepts in ALEKS. Several students have doubled up on
math classes because they have learned so much in ALEKS.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I use ALEKS in preparation for the Ohio Achievement Test. I create two ALEKS Quizzes by going through the
Ohio Achievement sample test and selecting concepts in the ALEKS Quizzes. I make these quizzes available in
early December and notify students and parents. Parents are thrilled to have these quizzes available to their
students. Students are told to look over their quizzes and write missed questions in their ALEKS notebook. I
believe that it is imperative to make sure that students know you are watching them. For whatever reason, my
students really like the fact that I can see who is working online at night. I have students come up to me and say,
‘Hey Ms. Urbanski, did you see me working last night?’ I really think this says something for the program when
my students want to do the work.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 8
Big Bear High School
Bear Valley Unified School District • Big Bear City, CA
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Computer Lab, Home Access
Purpose: Credit Recovery, Exit Exam, Summer School, Improve
State Test Scores
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 95%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 4.5 hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Algebra Readiness, Foundations of High School
Math, Algebra 1, High School Geometry
Deborah Burton, Teacher
We have used ALEKS for the past two school years. We introduced
ALEKS at the high school last year to help improve our state test
scores in Algebra 1. At the beginning of the first semester all of
the F students from our Algebra 1 classes were put into one class
of ALEKS for remediation. There were 22 students in the computer
lab every day for 58 minutes. At the end of the year, 100 percent
of these students had recovered a grade for first semester, and
65 percent had finished the course in a semester. Our Academic
Performance Index (API) score went up 30 points last year, largely due to intervention with these students. We
also allowed some students who wanted to move at an accelerated pace to use ALEKS. Two students finished
Algebra 1, High School Geometry, and one semester of Algebra 2 in a semester. I also had two hospital students
who were on ALEKS at home, one in PreCalculus and one in Algebra 2. The explanations in ALEKS were sufficient
so that I only spent one hour per week with each student answering questions and reviewing. Both students
were successful and my PreCalculus student scored an A on our class final. Due to budget cuts, we combined
our 26 math students for summer school into one class with a teacher and an aid. The students were enrolled in
ALEKS and could earn one or two semesters worth of work depending on their percentage. These 26 students
completed 41 semesters of mathematics in their programs.
This year at the high school we are using ALEKS for our at-risk program for students who need credit recovery. I
had these students for a quarter before we began using ALEKS and they were struggling because I had General
Math, Algebra 1, and Geometry students in the same class with very few resources. Since January, all students
are thriving and successful with none failing. One of my students has completed Algebra 1 with an A and
this week completed Geometry with an A. The students are motivated to see their test percentages move up,
and I reward them for completing a fixed number of topics a week. These are very difficult students to keep
motivated, but all have bought into ALEKS with great success.
I have taught high school math for 19 years now and feel that the courses ALEKS provides for my students
are comparable to any course we teach at the high school. I believe that the real power is that ALEKS makes
students improve their math facts. I am astonished at the amount of students in high school who do not know
how to multiply and still finger count. Once they overcome this, they seem to take off in Algebra 1. My students
love QuickTables and play them daily. I allow this as I have seen them improve in their ability to understand
more difficult problems. Our school was selected this year as a California Distinguished School and we have
greatly improved our California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) scores this year.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 9
Big Bear High School
Bear Valley Unified School District • Big Bear City, CA
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Because we are a resort town, we have a high transient population and many students have failed to learn their
math facts. ALEKS has improved all my students’ basic math skills.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
55 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We aligned ALEKS to our textbook and work with the students in the lab every day.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, the students love to choose their own topics. I do notice that most finish whole numbers and integers first
before moving on to Geometry.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
I have each student working on their individual program, because I have many different subjects in one class
and whole group instruction is impossible. I am able to work the room by roaming and helping each student
exactly where they need it. I set the seating so that students who have approximately the same ability will sit by
each other. They help each other often. The only time this is not allowed is during assessments. The peer help
has been amazing. Many students do not want my help as they prefer reading the explanations on ALEKS to
working with a teacher and this has worked well for them.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I do a lot more small group teaching and provide individual help. When I identify a concept that all students
seem to struggle with, we work on it as a whole class.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Most of my at-risk students are not supported by computers at home.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I do not.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 10
Big Bear High School
Bear Valley Unified School District • Big Bear City, CA
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
I give a quarterly grade based on their assessment progress. Semester one: A is 56 percent, B is 50 percent, C
is 45 percent, and D is 40 percent. Semester two: A is 90 percent, B is 80 percent, C is 70 percent, and D is 60
percent. I also give a grade each week for the number of topics completed; I expect 20 topics a week. We also
have some standards quizzes.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes, they must complete 20 topics per week and hopefully a test every 1-2 weeks.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
My 26 summer school students have completed 41 semesters of math using ALEKS. ALEKS has also helped our
API score to increase 30 points in one year. I have many students who have never been successful in math who
are asking if they can take next year’s class on ALEKS because they been tremendously successful with it. My
middle school Algebra Readiness students are asking if they can use ALEKS when they move to the high school.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I love putting students next to other students who will help. They are amazing tutors for each other and it
makes them both stronger. I often have class competitions to see which class can complete the most topics.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 11
Charter School of Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill Unified School District • Morgan Hill, CA
General Facts
Grade: K - 8
Scenario: Computers in Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: Intervention, College and Career Readiness, Enrichment/Gifted and Talented, At-Risk Students
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 25%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1 hour per week, 12 hours per term
ALEKS Course: Pre-Algebra, High School Preparation for Algebra 1, Algebra 1
Debi Hughes, Teacher
I am thrilled with the response to and the results of using ALEKS! I have seen our students gain confidence,
share excitement about math, and ultimately perform better with the addition of ALEKS to our standards-based
instruction. Many of our students enjoy the opportunity to work at a more challenging level on some topics,
while solidifying concepts in other areas as well. It is the ideal way for a classroom teacher to differentiate
instruction. It provides remediation for the struggling student and at the same time, enrichment for the
advanced student, while filling gaps for all students in between!
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
We found that our incoming middle school students had many gaps in their foundational understanding of
mathematics concepts. We were looking for ways to be able to individualize instruction, or certainly differentiate
at some level.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
4 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when
ALEKS is used?
10-15 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
Our use of ALEKS is two-fold: as a supplement to
what I am teaching in the classroom, as well as an
individualized program for either remediation or
enrichment (and sometimes it is both for a student)!
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
I have found ALEKS to be of particular advantage in
two instances: when students work in a clockwise
manner on their individual pie, and also when a
student works on the same topic on ALEKS as we have
covered in class.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 12
Charter School of Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill Unified School District • Morgan Hill, CA
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
ALEKS is used at home as half of the homework requirement, allowing 10-15 minutes of individualized work four
days per week, and an additional 10-15 minutes focused on the specific topic of instruction from the curriculum.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
The main modification I have made, besides mentioning it to keep drawing the students to see the correlation,
is in the amount of homework. I depend heavily on the access they take advantage of with ALEKS for their
spaced repetition.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Students are required to complete 10-15 minutes of ALEKS work every Monday through Thursday.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I have taken advantage of our Back-to-School night in the fall to inform parents of this wonderful opportunity
to bring one-on-one instruction to their child!
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS work is assigned as 50 percent of the homework responsibilities.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
I have altered my incorporation of ALEKS into the student grades as the year has progressed. It will now serve
as 50 percent of the homework grade and approximately 20 percent of the overall grade.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
The number of topics combined with the amount of time spent has been the criteria for measuring progress
through ALEKS. More topics were required in the earlier part of the year, which has changed twice now as most
students are nearing the completion of their course.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I have seen our students gain confidence, share excitement about math, and ultimately perform better with the
addition of ALEKS to our standards-based instruction. Many of our students enjoy the opportunity to work at a
more challenging level on some topics, while solidifying concepts in other areas as well.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Acknowledging student success and excitement for the program has spread like wildfire!
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 13
Cummings Elementary School
Grandville Public Schools • Grand Rapids, MI
General Facts
Grades: K - 6
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: Enrichment/Gifted and Talented, At-Risk Students, Supplement
Time Spent in ALEKS: 2-3 hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV
5 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6
Ryan Roberts, Teacher
With the economic situation causing continued reductions or elimination of our classroom aides, ALEKS has
been the answer to a developing need. We are able to use the program to help supplement our instruction for
our more talented students and it is great for extra remediation for our at-risk students. Monitoring student
progress is quick and easy. Being computer-based also spurred interest in many students who are struggling in
math and usually resistant to extra support (the students feel like they are able to figure math out on their own
terms). The pride our students show when sharing their progress with teachers, students, or parents is always
a highlight for us. We are very pleased with ALEKS and fully intend to continue to use it to support our math
instruction.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
We were challenged with teaching to all students. We used to have one hour of aide time per class to help with
struggling students and it has been eliminated. ALEKS has been very helpful in filling that void.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to
ALEKS?
3 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS
is used?
15 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
It is used strictly as a supplement for both talented and
struggling students and is to be used outside of our regular
instruction.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, we do not.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
If students finish early, they are allowed to use ALEKS. We
have a pretty rigid schedule and work the program in when
there is downtime for various reasons. Additionally, ALEKS
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 14
Cummings Elementary School
Grandville Public Schools • Grand Rapids, MI
has been used quite a bit during the lunch hour and afterschool.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I have not really modified much, but I know we have the support of ALEKS to help us even more.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Students are encouraged to work from home three days per week.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
Whenever parents ask, “What can I do as a parent?,” we recommend replacing a little recreational time with
ALEKS. We also inform parents via a newsletter, blog, and word of mouth. Sharing student progress in the
program is one other way we connect with parents.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No, we merely suggest use and student activity is tracked for positive reinforcement.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
We do not include ALEKS in our grading system.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Individual progress expectations are different for each student. We set a standard to meet based on ability, time
available for ALEKS, and parent involvement.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
When using a scripted math program, it is sometimes very difficult to find time to pinpoint weaknesses for
students. However, ALEKS shows you and the student which areas they need the most work in. This has saved
us both time and effort, which is at a premium these days. For a large portion of our ALEKS-using students,
seeing the pie chart and witnessing their progress in real time has been very motivating. The pride our students
show when sharing their progress with teachers, students, or parents is always a highlight for us.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Let students navigate the program on their own. Students having ownership of the program is one of the most
important parts in my eyes.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 15
Eastern Hancock Middle School
Eastern Hancock County Community School District • Charlottesville, IN
General Facts
Grades: 6 - 8
Scenario: Computers in Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: Intervention, Special Education, Improve State Test Scores, At-Risk Students
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 35%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3-4 hours per week; 24-35 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 2, Pre-Algebra
Shantelle Ebbert, Special Education Teacher
My special needs students have had the opportunity to work on ALEKS for a few months now. I appreciate
how thorough the program is with lessons, reviews, and assessments. My students like having the choice of
which lessons they are going to work on each day. I like having the freedom of accessing the reports, data,
and assessments at any time to share with parents and teachers at conferences or to share with students when
working with them. It is nice to be able to make tailored worksheets for the students to work on, as well as have
the students visually see the progress that they are making towards their goal. I am very pleased with ALEKS.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
We struggled with having some of the special needs students retain and master concepts and skills that were
presented in the classroom. Now with the extra practice, we are seeing an increase in concept and skill mastery.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
2-4 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
25-45 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
I use ALEKS to supplement the review and skill building work we do
in the math labs.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, I allow students to choose an ALEKS topic from their pie to
complete each day. If a student is having difficulty with a certain
skill, I might sit by that student and have him or her work on that
skill so I can offer assistance and one-on-one teaching, if necessary.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
Since I use ALEKS primarily in my math labs, we always begin our
class by reviewing the day’s lessons from the students’ math class
and go over any homework questions that the students might have.
After this, I have the students complete 20-25 minutes on ALEKS.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 16
Eastern Hancock Middle School
Eastern Hancock County Community School District • Charlottesville, IN
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
ALEKS helps decrease the amount of worksheets and review sheets I have to use in order to give my students
the opportunity to practice and gain mastery of the math skills that are being reviewed. ALEKS allows me to
roam around the room, helping individual students with questions in the program or observing how students
are doing. I like watching students grow their math skills with ALEKS.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
I encourage my students to use ALEKS at home at least 2-3 times per week.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
We send home letters explaining ALEKS and assessment results to parents, inviting them to ask questions of
their students and get involved with ALEKS.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
I do not assign ALEKS as part of the homework responsibilities due to being a lab teacher. However, some
teachers assign a percentage of ALEKS to be done per grading period and some of that must be done at home.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
ALEKS is used for approximately 50 percent of my lab grades.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
We require students to make 2-3 percent growth each time they work on ALEKS. This is modified on a per
student basis depending on their ability.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Since using ALEKS, I have noticed that not only has my students’ basic skill knowledge increased, but also their
confidence. I see increased homework completion and higher retention of skills and concepts presented to
my students in both the classroom and in ALEKS. My students enjoy watching their progress in ALEKS and the
ability to see their individual pie charts. They enjoy seeing what concepts they have mastered and are very
excited - excited enough to call me over for a “high five” when a piece of the ALEKS Pie has been completed!
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I like to have student graphs where the students can chart their growth on ALEKS. The charts/graphs give the
students ownership of their learning and help them to visualize the progress that they have made. The students
also get to see how many concepts and skills they have mastered, which is rewarding. Whenever students seem
to get down and say that they can’t learn or remember something, I will remind them of the skills that they have
already mastered. Knowing where a student has come from and where a student is now helps the child and the
adult working with them see the growth that has been made.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 17
Ephrata High School
Ephrata Area School District • Ephrata, PA
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Computer Lab, Laptop Carts, Home Access
Purpose: Exit Exam
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 50%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3.75 hours per week, 168.75 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Algebra 1, High School Geometry
Jason D. Buck, Math Teacher
My experience with ALEKS has been great! I am told by my district administration to differentiate instruction,
but find it impossible to do with some of my low-level classes. ALEKS helps me differentiate instruction
automatically and allows students to improve their understanding of all the concepts they need for the course
they are also enrolled in. I have my students for one period in the lab using ALEKS and a second period in my
classroom studying Geometry. It’s absolutely wonderful!
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Some students are ready for Geometry, but most are not. We are constantly trying to reteach concepts while
also trying to move ahead into new content. We are also pressured by the Pennsylvania System of School
Assessment (PSSA) and need to provide enrichment courses for students who are predicted to score below
basic. ALEKS is exactly what we need!
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
45 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We are using it for our double period math classes. One period is the regular Geometry or Algebra 1 course
content and instruction, and the other period was designed as the enrichment period to help students improve
their math skills for the PSSA and SAT, as well as to be better prepared for their current and future math classes.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
We align the ALEKS topics with our textbook series.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
One period is for ALEKS, and the other period is for the regular teaching. Students work individually for the
entire 45 minute period during the ALEKS enrichment class. I do help students who can’t understand a topic
simply by using the Explain button.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 18
Ephrata High School
Ephrata Area School District • Ephrata, PA
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I haven’t had to modify my regular teaching because our elective enrichment course is a separate period.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
I encourage them to work from home every day.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
On parents’ night, we have an ALEKS presentation and demonstration. Each of the teachers who are using
ALEKS discusses it with their students’ parents.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
It is a separate class that they are enrolled in. They are required to work on it during the class period.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
Since it is a separate class period, the students receive a grade for that class based on their ALEKS performance.
We use a linear combination of their hours of practice time, Initial Assessment percentage, and performance/
cumulative assessment percentages.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of
progress in ALEKS?
I expect students to make progress each day, usually
1-3 topics, depending on difficulty. Some exceed that
expectation. The progress is measured by the difference
between their current percentage and their initial
percentage or the percentage of their most recent
assessment.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning
outcomes or progress you have seen.
Since using ALEKS, I’ve seen students perform better on
content from previous courses. I have also noticed that
my students feel more prepared.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share
with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I recommend a notebook for each student to use while
working on ALEKS.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 19
Glasgow Middle School
Glasgow Independent School District • Glasgow, KY
General Facts
Grades: 6 - 8
Scenario: Computer Lab, Home Access
Purpose: Intervention, Enrichment/Gifted and Talented, Improve State Test Scores, Special Education
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 10-100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 4.16 hours per week, 50 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 5 (with QuickTables), RtI 7, Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math
Course 2, Pre-Algebra
Brooke Bartrug, Teacher
ALEKS has taken our school to a new level with math educational programs. Our teachers love it, the students
love it, and we get results. I teach ALEKS math as an elective class at our school. I have been astonished at all
ALEKS is capable of reporting to me as the teacher. The students love the games, which gives us the emphasis
on multiplication facts we need to make our students quicker and more accurate with these facts. I am now the
ALEKS math administrator at our school, and I help other teachers implement it. I recommend ALEKS to anyone
I know, whether they are struggling in math or just want to give their child an opportunity to achieve to their
best ability.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
The school faced the challenge of pinpointing specific areas for improvement. We had general ideas, but nothing
specific. We are a high-scoring school system and we did not want to flat line.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
50 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We began with a test run of about 30 students. The next year, we implemented an elective course for the
sixth and eighth grades. This year, we have the elective course, intervention classes, and special education
subscriptions.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
We let ALEKS tailor the learning with the exception of removing content that is not required by our state. Once
a student passes the current level class, we do not remove any content.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
In the elective class, which lasts for nine weeks, ALEKS is used every day for the entire class time. The students sign
on and begin working. A teacher is in the lab with them to monitor and provide one-on-one help as necessary.
Intervention classes use the lab for ALEKS two days out of the week, sometimes three. The intervention teacher
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 20
Glasgow Middle School
Glasgow Independent School District • Glasgow, KY
works with each student on problems they are struggling with. Our special education teachers pull students
out to work on topics in class that they are struggling with.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
We target students who are struggling in certain areas and request that they receive an ALEKS subscription.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
They are encouraged every day, but we do not require them to work on ALEKS at home.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
We offer parents the opportunity to try it out at our Open House.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS is not a homework requirement.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
With a 70 percent starting point, students receive 15 percent for effort (paying attention and working), and 15
percent for improvement (students must improve by three percent each day they are present).
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes, we use the Progress Since Latest Assessment Report to gauge progress. Students must progress three
percent each day.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
We have seen an increase in our Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT) scores. We have also seen an increase in our
Explore test results. I have students that ask for another nine weeks on the program because they enjoy math
using ALEKS. Our students in special education have improved their abilities at their own rate. The students
love the visual pie chart that lets them see results immediately. They like the fact that once they master a topic,
ALEKS acknowledges it and doesn’t keep asking the same question a specific amount of times because it is
programmed to.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
You must monitor your students and provide one-on-one help to those who have already tried the program’s
explanation. I also enjoy logging on and competing with the students on the games, which are restricted to
twice a week for 20 minutes. We also reward the students with a small piece of candy for completing a slice of
their pie. When they complete the whole pie, we let them choose a dollar prize, which is a great incentive.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 21
Haas Elementary School
Genesee School District • Genesee, MI
General Facts
Grades: K - 6
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: After-School, Summer School, Improve State Test Scores, Core Curriculum
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 75%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3-5 hours per week, 40-50 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 5 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6, Middle School Math Course 2
James Zwerican, Teacher
My experience with the entire ALEKS program has been incredible! I am so fortunate on so many levels that
I found this amazing web-based program. In 2008, our fifth graders scored toward the bottom on the math
Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) in our district out of 21 schools. After we implemented
ALEKS, the same students (who were now sixth graders) scored first in the entire district! This obviously had
everyone convinced and now our entire school uses ALEKS for grades 3-8 and will continue to use it. The program
is awesome in so many ways! ALEKS challenges the students, plus the assessments help achieve mastery of all
levels. All of the students love the program too because they can constantly see how they are progressing each
and every day!
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Our students lacked motivation. Now, they can see a visual of what they know, what they are ready for, and
what they need to learn before the end of the year.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
3-4 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
55 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We use ALEKS 3-4 days per week in the computer lab and when I am teaching a certain strand, students work
on that area if it’s not mastered yet. I set goals each week for my students for a grade. They also work on ALEKS
at home for extra credit.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
Yes; I have my students work on topics in the following order: whole numbers, fractions and decimals, geometry,
measurements, algebra, and proportions/probability.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
I teach a certain strand prior to going to the computer lab and then we focus on that piece of the ALEKS Pie. I
then go over some examples on an LCD projector and encourage students to use the Explain button when they
run into problems. I also allow them to work by themselves on other days because most students are on so
many different levels.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 22
Haas Elementary School
Genesee School District • Genesee, MI
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I have modified my teaching approach by breaking my students into groups within my classroom. The ALEKS
program allows me to see their levels and what they are ready for next.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Students are encouraged to work on ALEKS every night!
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I send weekly progress reports home that contain students’ pie charts. Parents can also email me or call me
when they need assistance. Parents love ALEKS and they are constantly giving positive feedback on how their
child is making progress throughout the year.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
Yes, ALEKS is part of their homework. Students also do other homework out of their book.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
ALEKS is 25 percent of a student’s grade in my class. Additionally, tests account for 35 percent, homework is 25
percent, and notes taken in class are 15 percent.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes, I require students to make weekly progress. It depends on how many sections they have mastered when
they take their Initial Assessment at the beginning of the year. My whole goal is to have all of my students
complete their grade level by the end of the year. I meet with each of my students, one at a time, and set up
their goals for each week, month, and for the year. I have a huge “Pie” party at the end of the year for whoever
has achieved their goal.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
All of the teachers at Genesee Schools have seen amazing progress for all students who use ALEKS, including
at-risk and gifted/talented students. The program allows each child to work at their level and achieve success
without pressure. Our MEAP scores have improved leaps and bounds! In 2009, our sixth graders were number
one out of 21 districts after using ALEKS! Students who use ALEKS are self-motivated and love watching their
individual pies grow throughout the year. Nearly all of my students are now working at grade level and there
are even a few going beyond the next grade level!
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Group students after they have taken their Initial Assessment, so you are able to differentiate instruction for
each child. Also, make students work at home for a homework grade. I also recommend always following up
with each student every week to show them the progress they are making. Show students that teachers are
able to see how often they are logged on and how many topics they have mastered daily and give incentives!
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 23
Hawaiian Mission Academy K-8
Private • Honolulu, HI
General Facts
Grades: K - 8
Scenario: Computer Lab
Purpose: Summer School
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 90%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 5 hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV
5 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6, Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 3, PreAlgebra, Algebra 1
John Mooy, Principal
We have been using ALEKS as a summer school math program for grades 3-8 for three summers. Each grade
is brought into our computer lab for their math class. Kids can attend our summer classes for 1-6 weeks, and
ALEKS serves their needs for whatever period of time they are with us. As a value-added bonus, the parents are
made aware that kids can use the program at home for at least two weeks after they leave our summer school.
I love it because each student’s experience is customized to their level of performance and need.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Lock-step programs which met the needs of the middle group of kids, but not the extreme performers at either
end.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class
period when ALEKS is used?
60 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
It was brought to our summer school
program by a guest teacher who used it in
his curriculum at another school. We will
use it for the fourth summer in a row and
are considering it as a full-time curriculum
for at least one classroom this year.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a
particular order?
No.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 24
Hawaiian Mission Academy K-8
Private • Honolulu, HI
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
Kids work on their computers for the period, with a break halfway through. Hands-on manipulatives are also
used during at least two periods per week.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
The teacher’s role becomes one of facilitator instead of lecturer.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
They are not pressed to do work at home during summer school, except for students in great need.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
We hold a parent meeting to inform them of the program and its potential.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
We don’t grade summer school math at this time. For parents that want progress reports, we show them the
progress for their students.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Not at this time.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
ALEKS is useful in all areas, from short-term remediation for the needy to acceleration of the quick learners, no
matter what school they are from or the background they had when they came to us.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 25
Highmeadow Common Campus
Farmington Public Schools • Farmington Hills, MI
General Facts
Grades: K - 5
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in Classroom, Online School
Purpose: Enrichment/Gifted and Talented, Supplement
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 20%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1 hour per week; 10-20 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 5 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6, Essential Mathematics (with
QuickTables), Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 2, Middle School Math Course 3, Algebra
Readiness, Foundations of High School Math, Algebra 1, High School Geometry, PreCalculus, Trigonometry
Kathleen Casterline, Technology Integration Specialist
ALEKS is great for providing immediate feedback, individualized instruction, remediation, and acceleration. I
have been using ALEKS with our advanced math students for the past two years. I have students in fourth and
fifth grade working on math concepts and skills from the high school curriculum. When new concepts are
introduced during our teacher contact lessons, students quite often say, “I learned that in ALEKS!” In addition,
former students and their parents have commented to me that the ALEKS program was very beneficial to them
and that we should continue to support its use.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Prior to using ALEKS, we struggled with a clear process for how to accelerate students and meet their individual
needs. ALEKS provides this much needed individual instructional model.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
1 day per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
60 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
Students are selected to participate in the
advanced math course.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular
order?
The topics are arranged so that students progress
through each grade level sequentially.
How do you structure your class period with
ALEKS?
All students in the advanced math course use
ALEKS as their instruction one day a week.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 26
Highmeadow Common Campus
Farmington Public Schools • Farmington Hills, MI
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
ALEKS has allowed me to modify my curriculum by eliminating topics that are covered by the program. Students
are able to test-out of the classroom curriculum and move forward. In addition, I can go further than ever before!
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Students are encouraged to use ALEKS daily.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
Parents are very supportive of the program and even have their children work on it during their vacations
abroad. Many of our students go to India and this is their link back to our class here in Michigan.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS is formally assigned one day per week, but students are encouraged to use it daily.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
ALEKS accounts for ten percent of the students’ grades.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Students are responsible for moving at a pace in line with their ability. It is adjusted for students that do not
have Internet access from home.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
ALEKS has helped students in our school skip not only one, but up to three full years of math! One of the
hallmarks of good instruction is the opportunity for students to receive immediate feedback, and ALEKS is
excellent at providing this. Not only is the feedback immediate, but it is tailored to each student’s unique needs.
The use of the pie chart to represent completed work is very motivating to students. Oftentimes when students
complete a pie piece, they excitedly exclaim their achievements for all to hear.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 27
Lakota Plains Junior School
Lakota Local School District • Liberty Township, OH
General Facts
Grades: 7 - 8
Scenario: Computer Lab
Purpose: RtI, Improve State Test Scores, At-Risk Students, ESL Students
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3.25 hours per week; 30 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 2, Middle School Math Course 3
Scott Mueller, Teacher
My overall experience with ALEKS has been good. Many students that have genuinely committed to the
program have made amazing progress. I’ve seen students that initially assessed at 14 percent of the seventh
grade curriculum progress to well over 80 percent of the eighth grade curriculum in just eight months. I have
many other students who have not only bridged the gaps that existed when they first started this program, but
have accelerated themselves and are excited about the notion of doing so. Student performance in their regular
classes is improving as is their overall confidence and most students are proud of what they’ve accomplished.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Most students that we qualify for our ALEKS program have fallen short on their state test scores in math.
These scores, coupled with poor performance in their math class over the course of a few years, prompts their
placement. We also view this program as an excellent Tier 2 intervention program for use with at-risk students.
ALEKS has also been utilized with several English as a Second Language (ESL) students and assisted them in
bridging gaps in their knowledge base as well.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
40-42 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
ALEKS is primarily used as an intervention strategy that is coupled with a student’s regular math class. Essentially,
our ALEKS students are taking math for two periods a day, or what equates to approximately 84 minutes.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, I allow the kids to choose their own topics and encourage them to work in areas where they have the most
to learn.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
Students work on their pies daily and have a weekly objective goal ranging from 7-15 objectives, depending
on what level they’re at. We also initiate weekly ALEKS Quizzes that we generate based on current topics in
their regular math classes. This reinforces what they’re doing in class, as well as the fundamentals they are
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 28
Lakota Plains Junior School
Lakota Local School District • Liberty Township, OH
working on with ALEKS. We keep track
of their performance on objectives on a
weekly basis and their scores on the quiz
each week. This, coupled with an end of
quarter assessment, will culminate into a
letter grade for each nine-week term.
How did you modify your regular
teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I’ve individualized my instruction and
started to modify concepts with greater
ease using ALEKS. This program has also
taught me how to present certain topics,
such as graphing and constructions.
How often are students required or
encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
I encourage students to work at home
daily; however, only a few of them actually
do that. Typically the only time a student will get on ALEKS at home is when they have fallen behind or have
been absent due to illness. I have offered bonus points for any objectives earned at home over the weekend or
holiday breaks, but very few of my students have taken me up on that.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
We make ALEKS available to parents for viewing during Open House and on Conference nights so they can ask
questions about it. We also provide links to the program on our district website.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS objectives make up approximately 20 percent of a student’s grade and 70 percent of their work time.
The other 80 percent of their grade is based on quizzes, which take about 30 percent of their time to complete.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
Since we use ALEKS as the primary program for a full course, the program counts for 100 percent of a student’s
calculated grade.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
We ask that our students show progress on their assessments as compared to their previous assessments. I have
mini-conferences with my students after each assessment to go over where they are achieving, what I would like
to see them do next, and which areas I believe they should focus their attention in order to get the most out of
the program.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 29
Lakota Plains Junior School
Lakota Local School District • Liberty Township, OH
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Many students that have genuinely committed to the program have made amazing progress. I’ve seen students
that initially assessed at 14 percent of the seventh grade curriculum progress to well over 80 percent of the
eighth grade curriculum in just eight months. I have many other students who have not only bridged the gaps
that existed when they first started this program, but have accelerated themselves and are excited about the
notion of doing so. Student performance in their regular classes is improving as is their overall confidence and
most students are proud of what they’ve accomplished.
Best Practices
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Be sure to have fun with the students using this program. I started having inter-class competitions where I
group the kids in different ways, sometimes using small teams of students to compete against each other, and
award a prize at the end of the week to the winning teams. I’ve also had success using tournament bracket
formats and allowing the students to compete as individuals as they showcase their talents. It got to the point
where the kids loved doing that so much they were afraid to miss class for fear they would be eliminated from
a competition too quickly.
Download the report to an Excel spreadsheet.
Student progress displayed in the form of a bar
graph under Peformance Course Mastery.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 30
Liberty Junior School
Lakota Local School District • Liberty Township, OH
General Facts
Grades: 7 - 8
Scenario: Laptop Carts
Purpose: Special Education, Intervention, At-Risk
Students, Supplement
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3.5 hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Essential Mathematics (with
QuickTables), Middle School Math Course 1, Middle
School Math Course 2, Middle School Math Course 3
Kristina Linberg, Teacher
I couldn’t ask for a program that gives me a more detailed look at the specific objectives and topics that my
students have mastered or are struggling with. The reports that ALEKS provides are extremely helpful during
parent-teacher conferences, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings, and student-teacher conferences.
Most programs only provide vague, all-encompassing topics where the student is not doing well. With ALEKS, I
am able to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses and adapt my teaching to fit their needs.
Another wonderful aspect of ALEKS is the ability for students to work at their own pace. I don’t have to worry
about keeping all of my students on the “same track.” For some students, it might take them the entire class
period to master one topic, where another student might work through three or four topics per day. It is
differentiated learning at its best!
The biggest benefit of all is the growth that the other math teachers are seeing in their classrooms. We offer
ALEKS in a supplemental class to students who are just above proficient, or not proficient (according to our state
assessments). Through meeting with their regular math teachers this year, I am so proud to say that students
are finally showing improvements in not only their basic math skills, but are applying this knowledge to higher
level problem solving!
What a blessing for students who otherwise have only experienced year after year of failure and a lack of
confidence in mathematics. It is so rewarding to see students make the transition from dreading math to feeling
like they can be successful!
Scenario
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
42 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
For our school, this is an elective course that is completely separate from their regular math class. We purposely
don’t have the same teachers teaching the regular math class as the ALEKS class, so students are able to have
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 31
Liberty Junior School
Lakota Local School District • Liberty Township, OH
two different math resources per day. Again, our program is one of remediation, so students are working in a
course that is one grade level below in order to fill in their academic gaps.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, I allow the students to pick the topics that they feel like working on that day. Sometimes they like me to
suggest what they should work on next, or help them find something that is close to what they are doing in their
regular math class at that time.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
I have my students work on completing their pies Monday-Thursday and assign an assessment every Friday. At
the end of every quarter, I assign a comprehensive assessment. During the class period, students are given small
whiteboards and a dry erase marker to help them do their work. If they have a question about a problem, they
are to first hit the Explain button and then write their name up on the board if they need one-on-one help. I
spend my time circling around to help the students in the order of their names on the board. Sometimes if there
is a group of students with the same question, we’ll get together for a mini-lesson on the topic.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I will say that, for me personally, it has taught me to take a moment to review the core topics that underlie the
more difficult ones so that I can give the students a refresher instead of assuming that they have all mastered
the previous information.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
This was my first year using ALEKS and I decided not to require any work from home. I have left it up to the
students if they want to practice at all from home and some have enjoyed being able to do that. It has been
extremely helpful for a few students that have had a lot of attendance issues this year. They have been able to
keep up from home, which is nice.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
Having home access has really helped keep parents informed on their child’s progress. The detailed reports help
pinpoint the topics that students are struggling with. Internet access at home also helps the parent to see what
their child is doing in class.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
This year it was not assigned as homework. I am considering it for next year.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
I give students a practice grade every week based on the topics mastered per hour logged in to ALEKS, which
accounts for 60 percent of their grade. The remaining 40 percent comes from their assessment grade each
week. I give students a grade based on whether or not they meet, exceed, or fall below the expected percentage
increase for that particular assessment.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 32
Liberty Junior School
Lakota Local School District • Liberty Township, OH
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Depending on the topics students are currently working on, I like for them to average four topics per hour
logged in. If I know that they are working on some multi-step problems that require a longer time to work on,
I’m a little flexible with their practice average.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I am definitely impressed with the amount of progress my students have made this year by using ALEKS. When
the school year started and the students in the class realized that they were now going to have two math class
periods a day, I got the expected groans and eyerolls. It is a lot for any junior high student to have an hour and
a half of math per day, but especially daunting to the student who considers math their “worst” subject. After a
week or two, they slowly started coming around. I find that the small steps of completing a pie piece is a little
bit of positive reinforcement for them on a daily basis. These are the students who aren’t typically confident
enough to speak up and answer questions in class; so to have a visual representation of progress (their ALEKS
Pie) to look at every day, definitely does a lot to boost their self-esteem. Sure enough, after the first quarter, they
all started bringing me their tests from their regular class and boasting about how they are getting A’s and B’s
on quizzes and tests when they normally get D’s and F’s.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
First, I would recommend using all of the “help” resources that ALEKS provides. It can be very intimidating at
first, especially if the teacher isn’t that technologically advanced in the first place. I commend ALEKS on their
availability and ease of use when it comes to help. Another benefit is the ability to print out the detailed student
reports and show these to the parents at the beginning of the year. Take the time to sit down with parents and
interpret all that they are looking at because that data can be intimidating for them. In addition to the parents,
sit with the students at the beginning of the year and show them what everything means. Their practice and
hard work has more meaning when they have concrete data to look at to track their progress.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 33
Luella Elementary School
Henry County Schools • Locust Grove, GA
General Facts
Grades: K - 5
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in
Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: Improve State Test Scores, Supplement
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 70%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 2 hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 5 (with
QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6, Middle
School Math Course 1, Middle School Math
Course 2, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1
Charles Stubbs, Jr., Teacher
Wow! Using ALEKS has been one of the best
things ever to happen to me. This program is
outstanding and my students’ test scores and
grade level performance prove it! For the past two years now my class has used ALEKS, and we have led the
district in math scores. I want my students to be successful and feel confident and that is what I get with the
program.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
I think that the students seemed to lack confidence and there was a level of mastery that seemed to be missing.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
I use ALEKS as a support tool, and I back up the program with very specific instruction.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, I encourage my students to make their individual pies grow evenly instead of just isolating one area.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
I support the program with active in-class instruction. We use the math lab and computers in the classroom,
allowing students to rotate while I offer direct instruction to students who are not working on ALEKS.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I have become more of a math coach than a teacher. I adjust according to my students’ needs, based on the data
I receive from ALEKS.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 34
Luella Elementary School
Henry County Schools • Locust Grove, GA
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
They must complete 2-2.5 hours per week.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I champion the cause from the beginning of school and I make personal phone calls to parents. During the
beginning of the year I have an ALEKS night where we have pizza and fun along with some real dedicated,
concentrated work on the program.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
Yes, in most cases ALEKS is homework, but I also support it with some review work.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
ALEKS is 20 percent of the grade.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes, although it varies since each student is an individual. I expect them to make progress, so we set class goals
and we celebrate as students advance.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
My students really seem to love ALEKS. I constantly get emails from students who are excited about their
progress. I had three students exceed the most recent district-wide benchmark assessment. There were only
ten students in the district to achieve this out of some 20 schools. My students as a class scored in the 97th
percentile on our spring Star Math test; that was an increase of nine percentile points from the fall. At our
school, we also have days where students who have advanced by a grade level in ALEKS can throw pies at the
administrators - it has been great.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Continue to work and teach - don’t expect ALEKS to do your job as a teacher. Also, contact parents and students
to encourage and expect results.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 35
Middle Ridge Elementary School
Newton County Schools • Covington, GA
General Facts
Grades: K - 5
Scenario: Computer Lab
Purpose: Intervention, Special Education, Improve State Test Scores
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 60%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3 hours per week, 120 hours per term
ALEKS Course: Mathematics - LV 5 (with QuickTables)
Jessica Adams, Teacher
Students use ALEKS for three days each week during their regular math time, and the other two days are regular
math schedules based on the students’ Special Education Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). I am completely
satisfied with ALEKS. I have seen most students improve by 50 percent or more; they are excited to master more
skills and compete against others in the class. My principal also loves all of the data I am able to show towards
mastery of state standards.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Students are performing at different levels, so it is hard to teach a lesson that benefits the whole group. Some
students are missing fundamental math skill sets and are not able to attempt grade level curriculum.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
3 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
60 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We created an ALEKS schedule based on our current math schedules, and selected students based on their state
test scores. The selected students use ALEKS for three days each week during their regular math time, and the
other two days are regular math schedules based on the students’ Special Education IEPs. We also encourage
ALEKS use in the mornings, afternoons, and at home.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No. I try to match the topics that are being covered in the regular classroom, but I let the students have personal
choice over which ALEKS topics to work on and to work at their own pace.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
We use ALEKS three days a week for the entire hour-long math period; within that time, I ask students to spend
5-10 minutes in QuickTables. We establish skill goals for the day and the students work on their ALEKS Pie charts.
I also teach mini-lessons or do reteaching on a regular basis. The last five minutes of class are used to review
mastered skills.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I am able to use the individual and class reports to determine which skills I can introduce or reteach.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 36
Middle Ridge Elementary School
Newton County Schools • Covington, GA
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Weekly. I send two letters home to provide instructions on what ALEKS is and how to access it from home. I
also have parents sign a letter during conferences that informs them that their child can access ALEKS from any
computer with an Internet connection.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I discuss ALEKS during IEP meetings and parent conferences. I also call parents to encourage them to use ALEKS
with their child at home. I show parents how to use ALEKS and how they can view progress reports for their
child.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
I assign 1-2 individualized ALEKS worksheets per week for homework.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
I assign a percent value to the number of topics mastered per week. The breakdown is as follows: eight topics is
an A+, seven topics is an A, six topics is an A-, five topics is a B+, four topics is a B, three topics is a B-, two topics
is a C+, one topic is a C, and zero topics mastered is a D. Student effort and behavior are reflected in a weekly
grade, along with the ALEKS homework worksheets.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
We measure student progress for each class period and assign grades at the end of the week. We use line graphs
to show individual progress and set goals. We also set class goals for mastered skills.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the
learning outcomes or progress you have
seen.
I have seen most students improve by 50
percent or more. The students are excited
to master more skills and compete against
others in the class.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like
to share with other teachers implementing
ALEKS?
I recommend having students set their own
skill goals.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 37
Oliver Elementary School
Stamford Independent School District • Stamford, TX
General Facts
Grades: K - 5
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in Classroom, Laptop Carts
Purpose: RtI, Enrichment/Gifted and Talented, After-School, Improve State Test Scores
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 25%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1.5-3 hours per week; 30-60 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV
5 (with QuickTables), QuickTables
Susan Mueller, Principal
I believe ALEKS has played an important role in the academic success of our campus. Our fifth grade students
began using ALEKS as part of a pilot program in Spring 2007. After using the program only a few weeks prior
to testing, 83 percent of our fifth graders passed their math Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)
and 30 percent were commended. After conducting our campus needs assessment, the decision was made to
implement the program campus-wide. Our mobility rate is high, and we found that many students had gaps
in their math skills. ALEKS has become an important tool in our Response to Intervention (RtI) process, and is
being used to remediate tier two and three students. The more we use the program, the more we realize the
real value of the ALEKS program.
The program is designed to help each child meet their full potential, whether that student is a struggling learner
or a high achieving, gifted and talented student. For the past couple of years, ALEKS has been used along
with our state adopted text to ensure our students in grades 3-5 master the Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills (TEKS) math standards mandated for their grade level. Last spring, we had 100 percent of our fifth grade
students pass the math portion of the TAKS, and 61 percent scored at the commended level. At our school,
we set high expectations for our students, and provide the teaching and support to help students reach those
expectations. As a result, our school has gone from being an acceptable-rated school, to a recognized school,
and now, an exemplary campus. This past fall, the Texas Education Agency nominated our campus as one of 26
campuses in the state to be nominated for a Blue Ribbon School Award. ALEKS has played an essential role in
the academic success of this campus.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Our campus has a high mobility rate - 28 percent in 2010. We have had 65 students move in or out in the past
12 weeks. This is a challenge we seem to face each and every year. In addition, we have many students with
Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD/ADHD). These students have trouble staying focused and often tend to miss
skills being taught. ALEKS provides a tool to help us assess each student, find missing skills, and provide each
child with an individualized program aimed at meeting their individual needs.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
1 day per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
75 minutes.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 38
Oliver Elementary School
Stamford Independent School District • Stamford, TX
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
ALEKS is used to remediate those who have
gaps in their learning and help them develop
missing skills. It is also used to enhance learning
for those who are ready to move beyond
the basics of grade-level skills. Students are
allowed to move to the next grade level and
expand their skills when they master current
grade-level skills.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular
order?
Sometimes, but not usually. Since ALEKS is
designed to meet the individual needs of our
students, students are usually allowed to work
on any lesson in the pie. It is not unusual for a
teacher to have students focus on a particular objective, especially after benchmark data becomes available and
teachers know what objectives students have not mastered in preparation for their state assessment. At times,
the teacher may have all students complete a lesson to reinforce a skill studied in class or to reteach a concept
that the class seemed to struggle with.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
Third and fifth grades go to the computer lab at least one day a week for their math class. Fourth grade has a
45 minute class period each day that is used for math, reading, and writing instruction. All classrooms have 3-4
student computers, so often students are allowed to work on ALEKS at various times of the day. The lab is also
open each morning at 7:30 am, and students are allowed to use the lab after school during extended day.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
Teachers do not modify their regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS. ALEKS is used to supplement
instruction, not replace it.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Goals are set for various times of the year. Students who fail to meet those goals are required to work before or
after school or attend flex days built into the school calendar. Incentives are provided for students who attain
grade-level goals.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
We hold parent nights to try and educate parents on the tools available to their children and the importance of
the programs we use. Parents are sent reports and school goals. Parents have seen the success we have had as
a campus and usually offer support whether it is having their child work on the program at home or allowing
their child to come early or stay late to work on the program at school.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 39
Oliver Elementary School
Stamford Independent School District • Stamford, TX
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS is not assigned as homework, since many students do not have access to a computer at home.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
Students are given grades according to how well they have met the goals set for completion of the program. For
example, if a teacher says 30 percent of the program should be completed by Thanksgiving, students are given
a grade according to how close they are to that percentage.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Students are not required to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS. Progress is monitored, and students
who are not making continual progress are addressed.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Our campus has gone from an “acceptable” rating to an “exemplary” rating, according to our state accountability
system. We have gone from 83 percent of our students in grades 3-5 meeting the passing standard in
mathematics to 98 percent this past year - or 99 percent using Texas Projection Measures (TPM). Our fifth
graders just received results from their first administration of the 2011 Math TAKS and 97 percent passed, with
58 percent commended. The second administration of that test is the one that is used for our accountability
rating. Our students have a chant they say, that includes “Good, better, best...” They realize the role ALEKS plays
in helping them achieve their BEST and reach their goals, and they feel very good about that role.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 40
Pacific Coast High School
Orange County Department of Education • Tustin, CA
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Computer Lab, Home Access
Purpose: Intervention
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: Varies
Time Spent in ALEKS: 5-15 hours per week, 75-90 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, High School Geometry, PreCalculus, Trigonometry
Patricia M. Elliott, Math Department Chair
ALEKS is excellent! Our students are doing well, our California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) pass rate has
increased to 95.88 percent, and more of our students are moving on to higher levels of math.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Because we are an independent study program, our students come to us with math skills that are all over the map.
Some are very high-performing and were bored with the pace of math courses at traditional schools. Others
are very low-performing and were frustrated by their inability to learn. ALEKS meets the needs of students all
along the learning spectrum. High performers can move ahead and low performers can work at their own pace.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
60+ minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
Four years ago, an ALEKS representative did a presentation to our math teachers, then came back and did a
presentation to about 25 of our families who indicated that they would approve of their students moving from
a textbook class to one that would be online, with the option of coming on campus to weekly math labs.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
This year, I used the textbook integration option to align ALEKS with the textbook we have used for several years.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
All students work on an independent study basis, working at their own pace. They must finish their math course
by the end of each semester. They may come in for help during the three math labs we offer each week.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
The students, who like to work on their own, are left to do so. Those who find math difficult come on campus
regularly to get help in one of the math labs. All math students must come on campus and take a proctored
midterm and a final exam.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 41
Pacific Coast High School
Orange County Department of Education • Tustin, CA
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
We tell them a minimum of an hour a day, but they need to put whatever time it takes to meet each Intermediate
Objective, and also complete a certain percentage of work each week.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I introduce ALEKS to parents by having them and their students meet with me the first week of each new
semester at a one hour math orientation meeting.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS is all of the homework.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
The midterm exam counts for 300 points, the final exam is 300 points, the syllabus quiz is 100 points, weekly
percentage completion is 50 points per week, three ALEKS Worksheets are 100 points, math notes are 25 points,
and a grade printout with parent signature is 100 points.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Yes. The amount depends on the math course. I use the reports in the Teacher Module to determine the number
of topics that need to be completed each week to ensure that students have covered all material that will appear
on the midterm and final exam. By the end of the year, they will have covered all topics in the course.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
The progress is very encouraging. I think the one thing that I am happiest about is the fact that so many more
students are going on to upper level math courses, not just stopping after Algebra 1. In addition, with ALEKS
students are doing well in all of the courses. So many students over the past 4-5 years have told me how much
they hated math, but ALEKS helped them change their mind. They could learn it and understand it. I have even
had some of my graduates email me after their college entrance assessments and tell me they were placed in
higher-level math in college as a result of the way they learned math with ALEKS.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
The reports make it easy to set up weekly due dates for the students by the percentage of topics they must
complete. This has been working out really well. I am very pleased with the upgrades to the program.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 42
Rogers High School
Spokane Public Schools • Spokane, WA
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: One-to-One Laptop Program
Purpose: After-School, Credit Recovery, Improve State Test
Scores, Supplement
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 12%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 6 hours per week; 40 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Algebra 1, High School Geometry, Algebra 2
Suzi Shepard, Teacher
I run an afterschool program at my high school funded from
a 21st Century Grant, whose program goals fall directly in line
with our School Improvement Goal of increased graduation
rates (we have been identified in the bottom five percent for our state). I tutor, assist, and befriend students
working on credit retrieval in math. The program helps kids get back on-track in their credits in several subject
areas. This is significant because there is a high correlation (95 percent as ninth graders) between one failing a
class, and not graduating on time or at all. The impact of ALEKS on student learning has been profound; kids
who have failed a class now voluntarily come in outside the school day to do more math work in order to get
caught up. Last spring and summer, 21.5 semester credits were awarded; this year, over 34 semester credits
have been awarded so far, with 19 students earning 9 semester credits each just in math. In total, over 300 kids
have voluntarily accessed this afterschool and summer program since its inception one year ago.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Our school has been identified as a failing school by both President Obama and the state. We are in the bottom
five percent for on-time graduation rates, and in AYP for failing to meet average yearly progress on state exams
in mathematics.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
3 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
2 hours.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
ALEKS is part of a 21st Century Grant at my school.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
After school Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for two hours.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 43
Rogers High School
Spokane Public Schools • Spokane, WA
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I haven’t.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Kids need to be in attendance after school 30 times to be counted as part of the grant, per state rules. Because
of this, kids need to work on ALEKS at school.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
The coordinator meets with all parents, and they sign a contract to commit to participate. Parents are called
for each absence, as well as positive results and completion of credit retrieval. We also have parent and family
nights two or three times a year with food, prizes, and certificates of completion.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
40 hours is a passing grade. We agreed to use the same process as our summer school.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
No, but I prod the ones that are putting along and could go faster, and offer help to the ones that are stuck on a
topic. Many kids came from the integrated math program and have gaps in algebra content.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I have seen a renewed interest in doing mathematics for many kids. My program is an afterschool only program
for credit retrieval, but I have been able to make stronger relationships with kids as a result of this program. They
feel really good about being able to achieve instant success in math. The instant feedback on each problem
keeps my kids motivated; the pie chart ensures my kids are in control of their own progress.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Things that have worked well: letting kids go as fast as they want to; helping the kids when stuck to get through
a tough topic; keeping positive relationships with kids, and giving them regular feedback on progress; allowing
the kids to use graphing calculators; offering to give kids assessments on demand; using positive affirmation
feedback strategies on a regular basis; and humor.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 44
Sedgwick Middle School
West Hartford School District • West Hartford, CT
General Facts
Grades: 6 - 8
Scenario: Computers in Classroom
Purpose: Intervention, Supplement, Improve State Test Scores, At-Risk Students
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 70%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1.5 hours per week; 15 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV
5 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - MS/LV 6
Patricia Ray, Teacher
I have used ALEKS for two years in a remedial math class. The class is the students’ second math class and my
goal is to bring them up to grade level. I have found ALEKS to be the best resource for accomplishing this goal.
The program assesses and develops an individualized plan for each student; this way all the gaps are addressed.
I have been very pleased with the results. The first year, 35 percent of my students advanced at least one band
level on the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT); the second year, 19 percent of the students advanced at least one
band level. Some of my students made it all the way to mastery, and considering that they had to be at band
one or two to be in my class, that is quite an accomplishment.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
I am the only extra support for students who are in band one and two who are not in special education classes.
Before ALEKS, I was constantly trying to assess all the students and determine what the different holes were
for my students. I could not always fine-tune it for each individual student, and certain concepts would be
missed because I would not have tested for that particular skill. I had developed my own assessment based
on the CMT, however, it did not go into the depth that
ALEKS does. Now the students are assessed on all of the
CMT standards and ALEKS develops a program for each
student that touches on everything that they need to
know.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to
ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when
ALEKS is used?
20 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
ALEKS is used by the developmental math class to help
bring the students up to grade level. The students in my
class all take it as a second math class with the intention
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 45
Sedgwick Middle School
West Hartford School District • West Hartford, CT
that my class will fill in their gaps. They are also in a regular math class to hopefully keep them from falling
further behind. We have 7-month subscriptions to help fill their gaps before CMT tests.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
I do not force the students to fill in the ALEKS Pie slices in any particular order, other than encouraging them to
fill in their place value slice first. Place value concepts are fundamental to most other math concepts.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
The class comes in and does a warm-up, such as practicing a skill or working on word problems; each month I
focus on a different skill. Then the students work on QuickTables for about seven minutes and then they then
work on their ALEKS course.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I have used ALEKS to support my efforts to fill in the mathematical concepts that my students are missing.
ALEKS enables me to find all the missing pieces and helps the students master them.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
I encourage them all to work at home, but approximately 30-40 percent of my students do not have Internet
access so I do not make it a required part of my program. The students who do have access and use it at home
generally make the most gains though.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I tell the parents of students with Internet access to encourage their child to work with it at home. However,
because many of my students do not have Internet access, I always tell them that we are working with it at
school and they are getting the benefit of the program in their class.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
ALEKS is incorporated with the computer portion of students’ grades and is worth 20 percent. The grade is based
on how on-task they are, not on how much they accomplish. I also print ALEKS Worksheets for the students to
do in my class and it counts as a quiz grade. I find they have a great deal of difficulty transferring from computer
to pencil and paper. I always want to see how they do when the task is written and they know it counts as a quiz
grade.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
I encourage the students to make progress and try to reward them for completing objectives. Each child has
a sheet with his name on it and the number of objectives he mastered from his Initial Assessment. Every 10
mastered objectives is worth a prize. If they lose objectives when they have a progress assessment, they have to
get back to where they were and then count from there for the next 10 objectives mastered.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 46
Sedgwick Middle School
West Hartford School District • West Hartford, CT
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I have found that the students who really buy into the program make tremendous progress. I had one student
who started at band one (the lowest band in Connecticut) and worked at home and in class. When she was
tested the next spring, she had moved to band four (mastery) and is earning A’s in her regular math class without
any extra support. Most of my students improve on their CMT testing; they do not all make mastery, but they
generally go up quite a few points. The students like to watch their progress and enjoy seeing their pie slices
fill up.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I find that it is really important to add an external motivator for my students to keep them going when the going
gets tough. The sheet where they track the number of objectives mastered works best. One year, they received
a prize when they filled in a slice of pie, but as the tasks got harder, they were getting discouraged and didn’t
want to work. However, when I changed the prize rules to focus just on objectives, they explored more pie
sections and felt that they were mastering more math concepts.
Dark portion represents
what the student knows.
Light portion represents what
the student still has to learn.
Ready To Learn Topics appear
in pop-up boxes when a student
hovers over a pie slice.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 47
Sehome High School
Bellingham Public Schools • Bellingham, WA
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Computer Lab
Purpose: RtI, Credit Recovery, At-Risk Students, Improve State Test Scores
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 5 hours per week; 90 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Mathematics MS/LV 6, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Prep for GED Mathematics
Ginger Thompson, Teacher
I have been working with three classes of students who, for various reasons, have not passed the state standards
test in mathematics for high school. My students consist of English Language Learner (ELL) students, special
education students, and regular education students with low math skills. These students’ skills range from
third grade to high school Algebra. We work in the lab four days per week and assess weekly or bi-monthly.
These assessments are primarily progress assessments; two to three times a semester, I give my students a
comprehensive assessment. I am able to document the academic growth in math for all of my students. I am
no longer teaching topics regardless of whether a student is ready to learn. For the first time for many of my
students, they are working on what they are ready to learn, and not what their classmates are ready to learn.
Some of these students had behavior issues in their previous math courses because the material was out of
reach for them. Some students had no confidence in their ability to learn math; they had been defeated and
had shut down. Others would literally cry when they were told they were going to have a test. Now, all of my
students are engaged in their learning. They show perseverance and pride in their progress, and have become
independent learners in math and see that math can be a possibility in their futures.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
There was no way to individualize instruction for our low-end kids. We would teach skill sets, assuming students
were ready to learn and try to plug the holes when we could. Students were frustrated with learning, felt stupid,
and incapable of learning.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
4 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
50-110 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
I attended the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting (NCTM) and saw a presentation.
I presented the idea to my principal for our Math Fundamentals course. We received funding, enrolled the
students, and began working. It has been very easy and user-friendly to get going for both me and my students.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, I let students self-direct according to what is available on their pie charts.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 48
Sehome High School
Bellingham Public Schools • Bellingham, WA
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
My students come in, get logged on, and have a choice to work on their pie or QuickTables. I limit their use of
QuickTables depending on the length of the period or number of times we meet that particular week. Students
usually get assessed once every week or two.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
For our below standard students, the course went from general teaching of skills to complete individualization.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
It is always encouraged, but not yet required. Access isn’t always available for all students.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
Parents may receive email reports of their student progress, and are encouraged to have their students log on
to show what they are working on and their pie chart.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
50 percent of the grade is showing progress on assessments, and 50 percent is attendance and in-class work
ethic.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
I use a reflection of progress over time, explaining to students that learning should occur in an upward trend not necessarily linear, maybe more of a wave. There will be times when it is more difficult or takes more practice
to lock information into their long-term memory, but with perseverance and consistent effort, it will take hold.
This way, they see that they can overcome the difficulties and keep after a skill. It shows that it’s important to
keep working on skills, not just learn and purge information.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I have seen students gain mastery on 60 percent or more of the course skills, and show retention on the
comprehensive assessments. My students are no longer being the distracters in the classroom, but are actively
engaged in their learning. My students now have confidence to sit down and problem solve, use resources, and
ask for help.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Personalization has been key to my experience with my students. ALEKS focuses on what the student should be
working on and provides the problems.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 49
S.F. Austin Middle School
Irving Independent School District • Irving, TX
General Facts
Grades: 6 - 8
Scenario: Computers in Classroom, Home Access
Purpose: ESL Students, Intervention, At-Risk Students
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 4+ hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Mathematics - LV 3 (with QuickTables), Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables), Essential
Mathematics (with QuickTables), Arithmetic (with QuickTables)
Olga Herrera-Omar, ESL/ExcELL Teacher
It has been fantastic! My students really enjoy working with ALEKS. All of my students come from a background
where they have had little, interrupted, or no education. ALEKS not only allows my students to feel successful
while they are working on their math skills, but they also feel a sense of accomplishment and self-worth something that they really have NEVER experienced in their lives. It has been an unbelievable experience. My
students would like to thank ALEKS.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Individualizing assignments for different grade levels and different academic levels. I have students in grades
6-8 and their levels range from pre-kindergarten to fourth (at least). It is extremely difficult for one teacher to
teach grade level objectives to different grade level students that are each working on a different academic area.
Oh, and did I mention that directions, explanations, and corrections need to be presented in both English and
Spanish? I thank the wonderful inventor of ALEKS, that person has made my job 100 times easier.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
50 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
Easy squeezy-lemon pleazy. ALEKS was presented as a pilot program to our school district and to my ExcELL
class. It has been an absolute blessing.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
Once students take the Initial Assessment, I know what areas of weakness they need assistance in learning. With
some of my kids who had interrupted schooling, some knew how to add and subtract, but not multiply. Some
knew how to multiply, but not add and subtract with regrouping. ALEKS helps my kids catch-up in the areas
they missed out on when they were or were not in school.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
My classes are double-blocked; one period an academic lesson is delivered, and one period we use ALEKS - love
that class!
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 50
S.F. Austin Middle School
Irving Independent School District • Irving, TX
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
Here’s the really cool thing about ALEKS: It has taught some of my students some material that, as a whole class,
I know I would not have time to touch on. Students work at their own pace, in their dominant language with the
occasional flipping back and forth of both languages to see what questions are being asked. If they don’t know
how to work a problem, the Explain (or Explicar) button comes in handy. That way my very shy students who
don’t want to ask for help get the assistance they need without embarrassing themselves. It also makes them
feel smart, when they see someone else is struggling with a problem and they clarify to the other students (or
rather, show-off to them) on how the problem is solved.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
Every single day, but my students do not have computers at home so it is just limited to school.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No homework; because of the double-blocking, they have two hours of math a day and one of those hours is
only for ALEKS.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
One class period equals 100 percent for participation; this is worth 25 percent in the gradebook. I also give 25
percent for their daily grade, and 50 percent for their assessment grade.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
If my students make ANY kind of progress, I am grateful. If my students want to work on ALEKS, I give them full
reign on that. These kids are not used to going to school on a daily basis from where they came from, much less
getting any kind of education. So, if my students express an interest in working on ALEKS - I tell them to go for it.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Honestly, I don’t think I would have been successful without implementing ALEKS. The program is such that a
student can work at their individual academic level without feeling inadequate in comparison to others in my
class. It is a difficult task to individualize for each child; however, using ALEKS in class allows me to give more
support for those students who need one-on-one assistance, while ALEKS challenges those students who are
ready to tackle more difficult assignments. My students are making wonderful progress. I am absolutely thrilled
with their work habits. They know what to do, they know how to enter in the answer, AND ALEKS has shown
them HOW to use the computer. My students did not have ANY computer skills at all, and ALEKS has opened a
whole new world for them - the world of technology.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Just one statement really: If you want your students to feel and be successful in math, and learn vocabulary in
the process, implement ALEKS as soon as possible.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 51
Tartan High School
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Independent School District 622 • Oakdale, MN
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Computer Lab, Home Access
Purpose: Intervention, College and Career Readiness, Exit Exam, Improve State Test Scores
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 30-40%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 2.5 hours per week, 25-30 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Algebra 1, Math Prep for TAKS -- HS Exit Exam, Prep for GED Mathematics, Math Review for AP
Calculus
Rachel L. Price, Teacher
I use ALEKS in conjunction with classroom teaching to help seniors who failed the statewide GraduationRequired Assessment for Diploma (GRAD) math exam. They spend two or more hours a week working on
the individualized skills practice that ALEKS provides, and two hours a week in the classroom working on
applications and extensions. I find that most students who really work hard in ALEKS have a greater increase
in their understanding of math than those who receive only classroom instruction. They are also more likely
to pass the GRAD retake exam. I have seen some students DOUBLE their scores on the GRAD exam in just four
months with the combination of classroom instruction and ALEKS!
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
If we did not have the ALEKS subscriptions, we would have a much more difficult time working with these seniors
who have failed the statewide exam. I have had classes of seniors with math backgrounds from Algebra 1 to
PreCalculus. Also, some seniors cannot fit the intervention class into their schedule, but still need something to
help them pass this exam. A couple of times I have given these students an ALEKS login to use only from home
- and it worked! I have also given a subscription to students in my regular math classes who transferred from
different districts and might need to cover material that their previous school hadn’t covered.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
3 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
45 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
After a training session and some collaboration with the other math teachers in my department, I started by
bringing my class to the computer lab two days a week and giving paper quizzes in the classroom on Fridays.
This was okay, but students surprised me by saying they wanted more time for ALEKS. The next term, I switched
to three days a week in the computer lab and weekly quizzes in ALEKS. In addition to the quizzes being
automatically graded, I am able to look at data from the quiz results and make conclusions about each student’s
abilities, as well as the abilities of the entire class.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 52
Tartan High School
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Independent School District 622 • Oakdale, MN
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
On Mondays and Wednesdays, students go to the computer lab to work on their pie. On Tuesdays and Thursdays
we do classroom activities. On Fridays, students go to the computer lab to take the weekly ALEKS Quiz, then
work on their pie charts.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
After the Initial Assessment, I look at the class results by topic. The GRAD math exam covers all the math that
students are expected to learn up until the eleventh grade. With so much material to cover in one trimester, I
use the ALEKS Assessments to guide my lesson plans. I typically go over one topic a week and use the Friday
ALEKS Quiz to determine if the week’s objectives have been met. If the majority of the class meets the objective,
I can pick another topic for the following week. If not, then I know I need to continue with the same topic for
another week.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
If students are absent, they need to make up an equivalent amount of time in ALEKS at home. Otherwise, they
are encouraged to work from home but not required. I also teach a similar class for juniors who have not taken the
GRAD math exam yet. It is held before school, and students can choose to work in ALEKS and take the quizzes from
school or from home. I put time constraints on the quizzes to make sure that they are taken in a timely fashion.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I have had a multitude of parents who have contacted me worried about their child’s prospect of passing the
state exam, and therefore being eligible to graduate. All parents want to know that there will be individualized
instruction for their child. By including ALEKS in the curriculum, parents are relieved to know that their child’s
personal needs will be addressed. They are also happy to hear that they can use the program from home if they
need more help.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their
homework responsibilities? If so, what part of the total
homework load is it?
Not exactly. ALEKS is required, but is typically done in school.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
I assign points per minutes in ALEKS and for items mastered,
which I add to their daily work grade. Quiz scores are also
included in a separate grade category.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of
progress in ALEKS?
Progress is measured by each individual’s abilities.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 53
Tartan High School
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Independent School District 622 • Oakdale, MN
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
My objective in using ALEKS is to increase the base knowledge of at-risk seniors who have not passed their
state-mandated math exam. Since ALEKS focuses on individualized instruction and practice, I can clearly see
a student’s strengths and weaknesses. I can also see improvements they have made with just a glance. In
addition to the individual practice, I give a weekly quiz that will tell me the class strengths and weaknesses. This
will guide what I will cover the following week during our classroom time. I find that students working hard in
ALEKS are more confident and more likely to pass the retake exam. While some students find it difficult to focus
on a computer program for long periods of time, most of them understand the principle behind individualized
practice. I find that students who are willing to work hard in ALEKS are more confident and WILL pass the
statewide exam! My students like that they can log in to ALEKS from any computer and that they can use it as
much as they may need.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Play around with the program! Make sure that you use your student account so that you can see what the
students see.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 54
Victoria Fertitta Middle School
Clark County School District • Las Vegas, NV
General Facts
Grades: 6 - 8
Scenario: Computers in Classroom
Purpose: Special Education
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 30-100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3 hours per week
ALEKS Courses: Middle School Math Course 1, Middle School Math Course 2
Ruth Sherrard, Special Education Teacher
I think ALEKS is a wonderful program. As a Special Education teacher, I find that it is an invaluable tool to
help me differentiate and provide individualized instruction to each of my students. Providing individualized
instruction can be very difficult to do with a class of 15 students who can be at 15 different places in their math
ability. I have been using ALEKS as my primary teaching tool for the past two years at other schools and was
able to convince my administrators to let me use it in my new school this year. Next year, we are expanding our
program and will include it in our summer program, as well to help challenge our accelerated students. I have
also personally used ALEKS with my children, and to advance my own personal math knowledge.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
For Special Education, it is very difficult to teach multiple curriculums in the same class, as well as reach each
student’s individual learning needs. I currently teach seventh and eighth grade math in the same class and have
16 students who all have different math abilities and disabilities. With ALEKS, I can challenge those students
who are at a higher ability level and provide more direct instruction to the other students in the class.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
30-40 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
I use ALEKS to keep some of my resource class students working at the same pace as their regular education
peers in the same grade-level curriculum, as I have to remediate so much for my other students. I have also used
ALEKS by choosing the best level for each student and having them fill in their skill gaps.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No. Each student self-directs most of the time unless I know they are weak in an area that we are going to go
over as a whole class.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
At my previous schools, I had an 80 minute block and instructed for the first 30-40 minutes and then used ALEKS
for the second half of class. At my current school, I have two students who use ALEKS for the whole class, except
when there is a need for direct instruction. I have a few other students who work on the program when they
need to complete classwork and then use it at home to fill in skill gaps.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 55
Victoria Fertitta Middle School
Clark County School District • Las Vegas, NV
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I am not sure that I really have. I try to differentiate as much as possible and ALEKS is just another great way to
do that.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
I encourage students to use ALEKS at least three nights a week for 30-45 minutes and for at least an hour on the
weekends. Students also get participation grades in class for working on ALEKS at home.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I tell parents about ALEKS through phone calls and emails home.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS has accounted for 50 percent of a student’s homework responsibility in the past, and I currently have two
students where it is 100 percent of their homework grade.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
It varies for each student based on how I am having them use ALEKS. The student and I create percentage
increase goals at the beginning of each week and these act as a classwork grade. If we set the goal at 10 percent
progress, then it would be a 10 point assignment. I also regularly create quizzes students have to take based on
what they have been working on and then I put those in as test or quiz grades.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
I set individual weekly goals for each student based on that student’s ability and average progress.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I have seen my Special Education students make twice the gains in learning with ALEKS. I have had one student
progress from fifth grade math to Algebra in just two school years because she was able to work at her own
pace from school and home. The way ALEKS shows students their progress is also very motivating. When
students get frustrated or even bored with math, I direct them to look at their pie chart and see how far they
have come. This gets them excited again and they work harder. I have one student who checks his progress at
the beginning and ending of each class and is excited to show me how much progress he was able to make in
one class period. This is the same student who has failed math consistently since elementary school and now
he is working harder than ever.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
It is important to have your students use ALEKS regularly and to encourage them to use all of the help tools
before asking for teacher assistance because this helps make them more independent, successful learners. It is
exciting when you can watch them realize they actually can learn something and don’t have to be walked stepby-step through it every time by a teacher. It is very empowering to them.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 56
West Lane Technical Learning Center
Fern Ridge School District 28J • Elmira, OR
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Online School, Computer Lab
Purpose: Improve State Test Scores, Core
Curriculum
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 40%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 2.5+ hours per week;
60-90 hours per term
ALEKS Courses: Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, High
School Geometry
Geoff Barrett, Teacher
I find ALEKS to be an extremely useful tool.
Our school uses ALEKS for approximately
40 percent of our math curriculum. I have
found that mastery in ALEKS correlates well
with state test scores and other assessments like the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic
Progress (NWEA MAP). Many students gain more from ALEKS than direct classroom instruction.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
We are an online school, so finding an effective curriculum was extremely difficult. It was amazing to find a
platform that was, in some cases, more effective than classroom instruction.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
5 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
Varies.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We are an online school and adopted ALEKS to address low math scores.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
No, we allow students to self-select topics. As the teacher, I do make recommendations to students and monitor
their progress in particular areas.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
Students work on ALEKS on their own.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
It has been pretty seamless because we are an online school.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 57
West Lane Technical Learning Center
Fern Ridge School District 28J • Elmira, OR
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
They are required to complete a certain level of mastery to earn credit in math. Students are encouraged to
work 45 minutes to one hour every day.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I talk to parents about it to explain how it works and encourage them to check progress from home. I also
provide regular updates.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
It is assigned as all of their homework.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
I believe students should master 80 percent of a course in order to earn credit. So, 80 percent is passing and
earns a C, 86 percent is the threshold to earn a B, and 93 percent is the threshold to earn an A. If a student is
working on just a half-credit first semester course, the thresholds are roughly half of that.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
I set benchmarks for students. At the quarter point in the school year, they are expected to be at 20-25 percent,
halfway through the year at 40-45 percent, third quarter at 60 percent, etc. They receive a grade based on their
mastery level at each quarter grade report.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
I have seen students increase their achievement up to 20 points on independent assessments like the NWEA
MAP. Generally, students are enthusiastic about seeing their level of mastery increase. They also like knowing
exactly where they are and what they’ve mastered. Students who aren’t using ALEKS see the enthusiasm of
those who are and ask to be put onto it. I see a much higher level of engagement and enthusiasm for math with
ALEKS than in general classroom instruction.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
Use ALEKS daily, and encourage students to do the reviews and prepare for the assessments.
ALEKS Implementation success stories | 58
Wings Park Elementary School
Oelwein Community School District • Oelwein, IA
General Facts
Grades: 3 - 5
Scenario: Computer Lab, Computers in Classroom, Laptop Carts
Purpose: Improve State Test Scores
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 35%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 1.75 hours per week, 8-9 hours per term
ALEKS Course: Mathematics - LV 4 (with QuickTables)
Terry Rex, Fourth Grade Teacher
Wow! I have been using ALEKS for several years now and got it implemented into our fourth grade curriculum
so that all of our fourth and fifth grade teachers use ALEKS. We all agree that it is the best math program we have
ever used. It addresses the need for differentiated instruction better than any program, and it is our number one
math priority each year to make sure we have subscriptions.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
Meeting the needs of all of the students is a major challenge. The varying levels you have in one classroom can
be tremendous. It was never a good feeling to think you were holding a student back because your pace had to
be slow enough to accommodate other students.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
2 days per week.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We started using ALEKS years ago as part of a grant project through our area education agency where the focus
was on improving math through technology. As part of the grant, we were required to use ALEKS for a certain
amount of time per week and our progress on our standardized tests was monitored. We worked closely with
people from ALEKS Corporation to help us address the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) concepts.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
Not necessarily, but I do set Intermediate Objectives that focus on what we are currently working on and then
update those occasionally.
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
After the students log in, they work 10 minutes on QuickTables before going to their pie skills. The rest of the
period is spent working on their pie. Before exiting, they check their report to see their progress. I have set
Learning Rates to indicate whether they are “On Goal,” “Above Goal,” “Below Goal,” or “WOW”!
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
I try to use more differentiated instruction in my regular teaching. I still have to teach math, but do more pretesting to modify the concepts the students and/or class need to work on based on the results.
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Wings Park Elementary School
Oelwein Community School District • Oelwein, IA
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
The students aren’t required to work at home simply because they do not all have Internet access. Those that
do are encouraged to do so, especially if they are “Below Goal.” I have also set up the computers at our public
library so that ALEKS may be done there.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
I send a note home about our ALEKS schedule and ask for parents that are willing and available to come in and
help. On most days that we go to the computer lab to work on ALEKS, I have a parent volunteer and sometimes
two. We have an online grading system where the parents can track their child’s progress, and I report ALEKS
progress for each student. It is updated weekly. Also, at the end of each quarter I send home the ALEKS report
to be signed by a parent.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
No, but sometimes we print worksheets for extra practice at home.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
The students’ ALEKS progress is 25 percent of their math grade. I set the percentage (through Learning Rates)
that the students should be at in order to be “On Goal.” This goes up two percent each six-day cycle. For example,
right now the students need to have 26 percent of their pie filled in to be “On Goal.” If they have 24 percent, then
they are at 92 percent for their grade. I make ALEKS worth 10 points, so they have a 9.6 out of 10 score in the
grade book, which accounts for 25 percent of their total math grade. If they are above the “On Goal” level, then
they are over 100 percent and are getting extra credit in a sense.
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
Once every six-day cycle (we work on ALEKS two days per cycle), I run a progress report. I then compare their
progress to the previous report. I expect at least a two percent growth. If that growth is not achieved, then
those students are given assigned seating so that I, or a volunteer, can monitor them better. If it becomes a habit
that they are not making progress goals, then extra time is made available for them to work. I have volunteers
work with students who are behind in the morning before the school day begins officially.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
Through the grant we were involved in, a study was done by Iowa State University, and the results were clear
that students who use ALEKS do better on the ITBS than those who don’t use ALEKS. We have seen that trend
with our local scores, as we are scoring better on the ITBS than before we used ALEKS. The students love ALEKS!
They like being able to see their progress each time they finish a session, even if it’s only 1-2 percent.
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I really believe, and stress to my co-teachers, in the Learning Rates settings of “Below Goal,”“On Goal,” and “Above
Goal.” It lets students and parents easily track the progress that they are making when they check their reports.
I also firmly believe in setting Intermediate Objectives to help focus the students’ skill choices even more.
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Woodbridge High School
Woodbridge Township School District • Woodbridge, NJ
General Facts
Grades: 9 - 12
Scenario: Computers in Classroom
Purpose: Special Education
ALEKS Portion of Curriculum: 100%
Time Spent in ALEKS: 3 hours per week, 67 hours per
term
ALEKS Courses: Pre-Algebra, High School Preparation
for Algebra 1, Algebra 1
Richard Fitzpatrick, Special Education Teacher
I am completely sold on the ALEKS program.
The artificial intelligence hones in on all student
weaknesses and helps to bridge those gaps. I have
seen a significant decrease in undesirable behaviors related to their learning disabilities when using ALEKS;
it just keeps them focused and wanting more. ALEKS has also improved students’ foundational skills that are
critical for the Algebra 1 curriculum that I am currently teaching. It’s an excellent alternative to the one-on-one
individualized instruction that I wish I had the time to give to all of my students.
Scenario
What challenges did the class or school face in math prior to using ALEKS?
My class was facing a lack of foundational skills, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. Even
if they knew their multiplication tables, they were not able to apply the knowledge algebraically because they
didn’t comprehend the concept of grouping numbers. The use of a calculator has also been an issue. However,
I like that ALEKS only allows use of the calculator at certain times and it teaches easier ways to compute without
the calculator.
How many days per week is class time dedicated to ALEKS?
2 days per week.
What is the average length of a class period when ALEKS is used?
90 minutes.
Implementation
How do you implement ALEKS?
We use the ALEKS program twice per week and I still teach the regular curriculum of Algebra 1. I ask that my
students strive to become proficient in at least 10 new topics each time they use ALEKS.
Do you cover ALEKS concepts in a particular order?
I tend to have the students work clockwise with their pie charts.
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Woodbridge High School
Woodbridge Township School District • Woodbridge, NJ
How do you structure your class period with ALEKS?
I use ALEKS twice a week. Our school has block scheduling so when it’s our day to use the laptops, I allot my
students the entire 90 minutes with ALEKS. They also receive infrequent quizzes and printable worksheets, as
well as QuickTables for a warm-up.
How did you modify your regular teaching approach as a result of ALEKS?
After the Initial Assessment, I am able to see just how much remediation is necessary, especially with the
assistance of the pie. It shows specifically, broken down section by section, what I needed to be teaching from
the textbook.
How often are students required or encouraged to work on ALEKS at home?
As much as possible if they have Internet access.
How do you cultivate parental involvement and support for ALEKS?
Parents are informed of the program and their child’s current level of performance. They may receive emails or
phone calls discussing what their assignments are as well as generated reports of their child’s progress.
Grading
Is ALEKS assigned to your students as all or part of their homework responsibilities? If so, what part of
the total homework load is it?
ALEKS is part of their homework responsibilities. Usually they are assigned worksheets that are generated from
their current math levels 2-3 times per week.
How do you incorporate ALEKS into your grading system?
Homework grades are generally 30 percent and assigned quizzes are 20 percent. Participation also counts as
20 percent and tests are worth 30 percent. Students are held to the same grading scale as I would normally
give with the regular curriculum taught. Most of their grades from ALEKS come through homework (printable
worksheets) and assigned quizzes (online).
Do you require students to make regular amounts of progress in ALEKS?
I expect students to become proficient in at least 10 new topics for each session of ALEKS, unless of course they
are given an automatic assessment. In such a case, once they are given their new pie, I expect to see at least a
10 percent increase from their last assessment.
Learning Outcomes
Since using ALEKS, please describe the learning outcomes or progress you have seen.
The progress I have seen in my students is that they are comprehending the Algebra 1 curriculum more rapidly.
Often I see students come into my classes in the beginning of the year and I quickly find that their math skills
are like Swiss cheese; there are so many gaps that need to be filled that it is almost impossible for them to be
successful once they reach Algebra. I have found that I am unable to find and correct those missing pieces as
quickly as ALEKS can. Some students have said that, “ALEKS is easier to use and it works with you so you don’t
feel like you’re failing.” One student explained, “It keeps me busy because I’m hyperactive and it explains what
you don’t know.” Another student stated, “I like how it motivates me when it says that if I get one more problem
right, it will add it to my pie.”
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Woodbridge High School
Woodbridge Township School District • Woodbridge, NJ
Best Practices
Are there any best practices you would like to share with other teachers implementing ALEKS?
I think one of the most important aspects is to prompt the students to allow ALEKS to teach them. They must learn
to navigate through the explanations when they have answered a problem incorrectly. Also, they should utilize any
or all hyperlinks to aid in comprehension of terms and procedural knowledge.
Question displayed at the top.
Keywords linked to online dictionary.
Step-by-step Explanation provided with visual
illustrations and keywords linked to an online
dictionary.
Answer is provided at the conclusion of the
explanation.
An Alternative Explanation is sometimes
available to the students and can be accessed
via the “Alternative explanation” button.
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