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ESSA Level IV Demonstrates a Rationale
Logic Model & Study Design · October 2025

Derivita is built
on rigorous research.

Researchers: Elizabeth Allen Green, Ph.D., Rachel Austring, Ph.D. & Molly Henschel, Ph.D.
Published October 31, 2025 · The EdTech Collective & International Centre for EdTech Impact
What ESSA Level IV Means

ESSA Level IV — "Demonstrates a Rationale" — requires a well-specified logic model informed by high-quality research, paired with an active plan to study the intervention's effects. Instructure developed this logic model for Derivita to satisfy those requirements and lay the foundation for ongoing evidence-building. View the complete study.

Core Conclusion

Derivita's design is grounded in peer-reviewed research — and an ESSA Level III study examining its impact on student outcomes was already underway at the time of this report.

The Logic Model at a Glance

A logic model maps how a product's inputs translate into real-world results. Derivita's logic model follows a clear, research-backed chain from resources to outcomes:

Inputs
Expert questions, AI engine, LMS integration, PD
Participants
Students, Teachers & Administrators (Gr. 6–12)
Activities
Practice, feedback, grading, PLCs, data review
Outputs
Usage data, scores, insights, reports
Outcomes
Math proficiency, instructional improvement, system-wide growth
Why This Report Matters

The Level IV report demonstrates not only that Derivita is backed by research, but why it matters differently for each member of the school community:

For Teachers

Derivita reduces time-consuming tasks like manual grading and replaces them with real-time, automated feedback — freeing teachers for meaningful engagement, instruction, and collaboration.

For Students

Expert-authored questions paired with immediate, tailored feedback encourage students to revise work, build persistence, and strengthen mathematical reasoning — habits tied directly to long-term achievement.

For Administrators

Every Derivita tool feeds connected data, giving leaders a clear line of sight from individual student responses to district-wide trends — enabling earlier interventions and smarter resource allocation.

Expected Outcomes Across Three Timeframes
Short-Term
Students · Teachers · Administrators Students show increased engagement and more frequent use of real-time feedback. Teachers improve instructional efficiency through automated grading and data tools. Administrators gain greater visibility into classroom- and district-level math performance.
Intermediate
Students · Teachers · Administrators Students improve on formative and benchmark assessments and show growth in mathematical reasoning and confidence. Teachers increase collaboration in PLCs and refine data-informed instructional strategies. Administrators integrate Derivita data into district-level planning.
Long-Term
Students · Teachers · Administrators Students achieve higher math proficiency on state summative assessments and show greater readiness for advanced coursework. Teachers confidently lead differentiated, data-informed instruction. Administrators close achievement gaps and scale data-informed systems district-wide.
ESSA Level IV Requirements Met

This report satisfies all criteria for ESSA Level IV (Demonstrates a Rationale):

  • Detailed logic model informed by previous, high-quality peer-reviewed research
  • Study planning and design underway for an ESSA Level III or higher study
Derivita ESSA Level IV Report (2025)
Conducted by The EdTech Collective & ICEI in partnership with Instructure
Derivita · Evidence-Based Math Instruction