Liftoff is a research-based intervention program for students in Tier 2 and 3 that covers science, math, and reading. The program uses diagnostic testing to identify academic gaps and employs vertical alignment and a highly engaging learning environment to address them. You can easily import your NWEA MAP scores or do diagnostic testing to get started.
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Liftoff, our research-based intervention program for science, math, and reading helps identify the student’s foundational skill gaps within vertically aligned sets of grade-level standards. This helps fix the root of the problem and allows the students to build on their knowledge from the ground up, creating a strong foundation for future years.
Liftoff uses fun avatars, rockets, and a dynamic reward system that enhances student motivation and understanding. If the student answers the question correctly, they are immediately rewarded with a game. If they answer incorrectly, they will watch an explanation video that provides support for that question and similar questions.
Every student learns differently, and we recognize that. Through diagnostic assessments or the NWEA MAP test, Liftoff identifies individual learning levels and creates a unique learning path. By meeting students where they are and providing targeted support, Liftoff ensures progress for all learners.
We offer both English and Spanish options in Liftoff. This is perfect for language learners in ESL, dual language, or bilingual instruction. Students can develop their language skills with 3 different language modes. Teachers can customize each student’s language settings by allowing students to practice questions in either English or Spanish.
When looking for a math, reading, or science intervention program, there are a few factors to consider that can end up making a big difference. Here are some of the things that our educators find important:
Our team had all of these objectives in mind when creating Liftoff, which is why our features so closely align with what teachers need in the classroom.
Yes, reading, math, and science intervention programs are worth it. They can be valuable investments for schools and districts looking to address the specific needs of their Tier 2 and 3 learners who are far below grade level.
Liftoff specifically helps students by giving them immediate feedback on why their answer was incorrect. When students miss a question, they receive a video that explains why their answer was incorrect, and importantly, helps them to understand how to do the rest of a problem set as well. This ensures students understand what they are doing without becoming frustrated or discouraged. It also helps teachers know that students are receiving the information they need to succeed.
Tier 2 interventions generally take place in small group settings whereas Tier 3 interventions are usually in a one-on-one setting with a teacher and a student. Progress Learning’s Liftoff is suitable for both Tier 2 and Tier 3 and teachers can use the tools within the platform to tailor their intervention plan according to what their students need.
It’s not necessarily required to have a separate teacher or classroom just for interventions. Different districts, schools, and teachers may opt for different ways of implementing intervention programs into their day-to-day routines based on what makes sense for them and what resources they have available. For example, some teachers are solely responsible for creating intervention plans, and a tool like Liftoff can help to facilitate the planning and execution of intervention plans for teachers. Some districts may decide to have specific time set aside for intervention. In either case, Liftoff can help teachers integrate intervention time into their routines, and can also help specific intervention-focused educators implement their plans.
Because K-8 math, reading, and science standards have clear progressions from one grade to another, intervention programs can easily be incorporated with Tier I instruction. After a student’s learning gaps have been identified via a universal screener or with Liftoff’s adaptive diagnostic, teachers can easily incorporate Liftoff practice into their grade-level instruction.
For example, if a 5th grade math teacher plans a lesson in 3-digit by 2-digit multiplication (a common 5th grade standard), students with an identified skill gap in multiplication can easily practice and gain mastery in 2-digit by 2-digit or 2-digit by 1-digit multiplication in Liftoff before attempting to practice on-grade-level content. In other words, intervention programs should integrate into teachers’ existing plans and enable them to cater instruction to Tier 1, 2, and 3 students.
In order to adapt to specific student needs, Liftoff doesn’t use a “scale” approach to intervention. It adapts based on their performance on a set of items in a hierarchy of vertically aligned standards. So what does that look like in practice?
Let’s say a 5th grader begins a Liftoff Math Diagnostic:
The answer is – it depends. Some students can get up to grade level as quickly as 1-2 months after the start of using Liftoff. The majority of Liftoff users report students being back on grade level by the 2nd time a universal screener is administered after being identified as Tier 2 or 3 by the first screener.