Evaluating learning gains using mastery learning and alignment

Authors

  • John J. Hobe Georgia Southern University image/svg+xml , Professor, Department of Elementary and Special Education, Georgia Southern University, United States of America Author
  • Nedra L. Cossa Georgia Southern University image/svg+xml , Associate Professor, Department of Elementary and Special Education, Georgia Southern University, United States of America Author
  • Aslihan Unal Georgia Southern University image/svg+xml , Professor, Department of Elementary and Special Education, Georgia Southern University, United States of America Author
  • Timothy Hinchman Georgia Southern University image/svg+xml , Assistant Professor, Department of Elementary and Special Education, Georgia Southern University, United States of America Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71085/joclsi.05.01.97

Keywords:

Differentiated instruction, Assessment, Instructional alignment, Critical features, Cognitive demands

Abstract

This study explains the value of the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) dispositions by evaluating instructional alignment and its relationship to the learning gains of 32 students.  Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) pre-and post-test percentile scores were used.  The results were analyzed with a t-test and effect size.  All instructors used aligned instruction and assessment with the same critical features (cognitive demands).  A statistically significant mean difference of t(31)=4.66, p .001 and a Cohen’s d , Cohen (2013), of 0.82 were reported.  The results indicate that using instructional alignment increased the likelihood that learning gains were attributable to these interventions.  Results from this study can further the understanding of instructional alignment.

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Published

2026-06-30

Data Availability Statement

The data will be available on a reasonable request to the corresponding author through email. 

How to Cite

Hobe, J., Cossa, N., Unal, A., & Hinchman, T. (2026). Evaluating learning gains using mastery learning and alignment. Journal of Childhood Literacy and Societal Issues, 5(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.71085/joclsi.05.01.97