The Boddle Confidence Effect

New Study Finds Boddle Builds Math Confidence and Improves Student Outcomes

A new independent study confirms that Boddle does a lot more than make math enjoyable. Conducted during the 2024–25 school year by Instructure researchers and validated at ESSA Level III (“Promising Evidence”), the study found that students who used Boddle regularly felt less anxious when learning new math concepts and that higher performance on Boddle was directly related to students scoring higher on their end of year math tests. Bottom line: Boddle helps students feel more confident, and success on Boddle suggests success on tests.

Backed by ESSA Level III: Promising Evidence That Matters

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) sets federal standards for identifying programs backed by research. Level III, known as Promising Evidence, is earned when an independent study shows a statistically significant, positive relationship between a program and student outcomes.

This means school leaders can be confident that Boddle’s results aren’t anecdotal, and that they’re verified by a research framework recognized nationwide for evidence-based decision-making.

“Students who had a higher percentage of correct responses on Boddle also performed better on their end-of-year math assessments.”

— ESSA Level III Research Brief, 2025

Higher Accuracy, Higher Achievement

The study examined 83 third graders from a diverse Alabama district who used Boddle throughout the 2024–25 school year. Researchers found a statistically significant correlation between accuracy in Boddle and end-of-year i-Ready Math scores. Consistent, correct practice in Boddle was strongly related to mastery outside the game, too.

In simple terms:

• Students who answered more problems correctly on Boddle performed better on standardized math tests.
• The average accuracy rate was 81%, with students completing about 59 sessions during the school year.

Reducing Math Anxiety Through Play

Math anxiety is a well-documented barrier to learning, even in early grades. Using an adapted version of the Early Elementary School Math Anxiety Scale, researchers examined how Boddle use affected students’ feelings toward math.

The results were clear:

• Students who performed well in Boddle felt less anxious when learning new kinds of math problems.
• Students who completed more sessions felt less anxious when using Boddle for math.

“Third-grade students who completed more sessions on Boddle reported feeling less anxious when using Boddle for math.”
— ESSA Level III Research Brief, 2025

These findings reflect what many teachers already see: Boddle’s game-based design creates a safe space where students can practice, make mistakes, and build confidence without fear of failure.

What This Means for Teachers and Administrators

For teachers, Boddle offers more than standards-aligned practice; it helps students feel capable in math. When learning feels fun and personalized, anxiety decreases and perseverance grows.

For administrators, ESSA Level III validation confirms Boddle as an evidence-based program under federal guidelines. This designation supports its use in schoolwide intervention, enrichment, and funding initiatives, giving districts confidence in integrating it into their academic plans.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Confidence Effect

The 2024–25 study focused on third grade, but the findings are just the beginning. Boddle plans to expand partnerships with districts to explore how math confidence develops across grades, and how similar patterns appear in reading and science.

By continuing to measure both skill growth and mindset, Boddle remains committed to creating classrooms where every child can feel successful.

Conclusion

Confidence is the foundation of learning, and Boddle is proving that confidence can be built - one problem, one session, and one smile at a time.

As teachers and schools seek tools that make a measurable difference, research shows that Boddle is associated with both academic gains and emotional growth.

Related Reading

Explore how Boddle’s research-backed approach translates into real classroom success:

• 🏫 Case Study: How a 4th Grade Teacher Transformed Her Classroom with Gamified Learning
  See how 4th-grade teacher Ally Watkins uses Boddle to personalize learning, build confidence, and keep her students engaged through interactive gameplay.
• 🎯 Boddle Earns the Common Sense Privacy Seal
  Explore how Boddle ensures data privacy so teachers, parents, and schools can focus on helping students learn and grow.
• 🌟 Why Fun Matters: The Power of Learning Through Play with Boddle Science
  Discover how Boddle’s gamified platform blends play with meaningful lessons in math, reading, and science, helping students build skills and confidence at home or in the classroom.