Yes. Legends of Learning is a research-informed, curriculum-aligned K–8 learning platform supporting math, science, and US history instruction. Independent evaluations, federally funded research initiatives, and district-level implementations have examined its impact on student performance, particularly in mathematics fluency and science achievement.
What Research Has Been Conducted on Legends of Learning?
1. Independent Evaluation: Math Basecamp Study (McREL International)
An evaluation conducted by McREL International examined the impact of the Math Basecamp program in Rialto Unified School District (California).
According to publicly released findings (December 2024), students who completed higher numbers of Math Basecamp sessions demonstrated stronger performance gains on standardized mathematics assessments compared to lower-usage peers.
The study focused on:
Math fluency development
Structured practice sessions
Correlation between program usage and assessment performance
This evaluation supports the role of structured, game-based fluency practice in measurable academic growth.
2. WestEd Study: Learning Universe
An independent evaluation conducted by WestEd examined the impact of regular use of Legends of Learning on K–8 student science achievement, specifically analyzing usage within the Learning Universe component of the platform.
The study found that students who completed at least two Legends of Learning activities per week demonstrated a 25 percentile point increase in high-stakes science test scores compared to students with no usage.
Key findings include:
Consistent weekly platform use was associated with higher science achievement
Increased engagement correlated with improved standardized assessment performance
Standards-aligned, game-based practice supported measurable academic growth
These results indicate that regular implementation of Legends of Learning can positively impact science achievement outcomes when used consistently in classroom instruction.
3. U.S. Department of Education Grant (EIR Program)
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Education selected Legends of Learning for an $8 million Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant to study the effectiveness of game-based learning in Florida public schools.
The EIR program funds rigorous research on evidence-based educational interventions. The grant supports large-scale evaluation of how game-based instruction impacts science achievement in K–8 settings.
This positions Legends of Learning within federally funded effectiveness research — not just internal product claims.
What Standards Does Legends of Learning Map To?
Legends of Learning aligns content to:
Common Core State Standards (CCSS)
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
State-specific frameworks (e.g., TEKS, SOL, NGSSS)
K–8 US History standards (state-aligned where applicable)
All instructional games are mapped at the standard-code level by subject matter experts, ensuring instructional alignment in classroom use.
Why Can Game-Based Learning Improve Outcomes?
Educational research consistently shows that well-designed game-based learning environments can:
Increase time-on-task
Improve engagement and motivation
Support formative assessment through embedded questioning
Reinforce content through repetition and adaptive challenge
Legends of Learning integrates curriculum-aligned questions directly into gameplay. Students must demonstrate academic understanding to progress — not just complete game mechanics.
Has Legends of Learning Received Industry Recognition?
Yes. Legends of Learning and Math Basecamp have received multiple industry recognitions, including:
2022 SIIA CODiE Award Winner – Best Educational Game
2023 SIIA CODiE Award Finalist
Digital Promise Product Certification (Math Basecamp Math Fact Fluency)
Academic and Parent/Teacher Choice awards
These recognitions reflect peer review within the education technology sector.
Is Legends of Learning Evidence-Based?
Legends of Learning participates in independent evaluation and federally funded research initiatives. While results vary based on implementation model, usage intensity, and instructional integration, available studies and grants support continued investigation into measurable academic impact.
How Is Student Impact Measured?
Impact can be measured through:
Topic mastery progression
Standard-level performance reports
Math fact fluency tracking (Math Basecamp)
District and school-level reporting dashboards
Correlation between usage and assessment outcomes
Schools and districts can monitor performance at:
Student level
Classroom level
School level
District level