Research

  • Seven years of research and study went into developing HBC
  • Benefits demonstrated through multiple studies

Research Summary

In studies on HBC in Boys & Girls Clubs, Club members who have participated have shown (on average):
  • 1 year’s growth in reading
  • 1 year 7 month’s growth in math
  • 1 year 3 months’ growth in processing speed
As well as dramatic improvements in:
  • Following directions
  • Paying attention
  • Focusing
  • Working independently
  • Reading with less frustration
  • Self-confidence and self-esteem

Read More on Each of Our Studies:
Study #1: Mathquest

  • Phenomenal Growth in Math and Processing Speed from Mathquest
 

 Study #2: Wordquest

  • Huge Growth in Reading and Processing Speed from Wordquest
 

Study #3: Mathquest

  • Data from the California STAR Test
 

Study #4: Mathquest & Wordquest

  • Pilot programs in Boys & Girls Clubs 

Study #1: Phenomenal Growth in Math & Processing Speed

In this 2012 study, we partnered with researchers from University of California at Santa Barbara and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Southern California.

The Students:

  • 62 students in grades 2-6
  • All were members of a Boys and Girls Club after-school program located at an elementary school. The elementary school is 96% Latino, and has a large at-risk population, with 86% of its students receiving free or discounted lunches
  • Students were recommended for the study by teacher or staff referral, and so the students in the study were more likely to have attention, learning, or behavioral problems

The Study:

  • Students were divided into a control group, and two groups running variations on HBC programs: Mathquest and millisecond timing training
  • All students took a pre-test and post-test to measure their growth. The tests used were:
  • Woodcock-Johnson III NU Tests of Cognitive Abilities: the Decision Speed Test and the Visual Matching Test (which measure processing speed)
  • Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Achievement: the Math Fluency Test
  • The control group received only the basic enrichment activities that were offered as part of that Boys and Girls Club’s after-school program
  • The HBC groups were taken out of the usual enrichment program for 40 minutes of HBC training per day, for a total of 20 days

Results:

  • Processing Speed: 2 years 9.5 months growth (vs. 11 months in control group)
  • Math Fluency: 1 year 7 months growth (vs. 3.5 months in the control group)
  • > 1 year’s growth in math
  • > 2 year’s growth in processing speed

Study #2: Huge Growth in Reading & Processing Speed

In this 2013 study, we partnered with researchers from California Lutheran University and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Southern California.

The Students:

  • 143 students in grades 2-6
  • Club members of after-school Boys and Girls Club programs in the Rio School District, Southern California

The Study:

  • Students participated in the Wordquest program
  • Club staff evaluated participants before and after training using a Likert Scale to judge the student’s’ ability to pay attention, focus, complete work independently, follow directions, read with less frustration, and self-esteem/self-confidence.
  • Students also completed pre- and post-tests:
  • Reading fluency was measured using TOSWRF, which looks at word identification ability and speed, word comprehension, and general reading fluency.
  • Processing speed was measured using the Woodcock-Johnson III NU Tests of Cognitive Abilities: the Decision Speed Test and the Visual Matching Test

Results:

  • 1 year’s growth in reading
  • 1 year 3 months’ growth in processing speed
  • 23% improvement in following directions
  • 25% improvement in ability to pay attention & focus
  • 24% improvement in ability to work independently
  • 27% reduction in reading frustration
  • 31% improvement in self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Students of all ages show reading & processing speed growth
  • Wordquest can be used for students in grades 1-6
reading growth
  • Students of all abilities show growth in reading & processing speed
  • Hardy Brain Camp benefits all students: advanced, average, and struggling

Study #3: Huge Growth in Math and Reading

In this 2011-2012 study, we partnered with the Rio School District and Boys and Girls Club of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme in Southern California.

The Students:

  • 110 students in grades 2-6
  • Club members of after-school Boys and Girls Club programs in the Rio School District, Southern California

The Study:

  • Students participated in the Mathquest and Millisecond timing
  • Students took the California State standardized test STAR to measure their proficiency at Reading and Math before and after training

Results:

  • Before training, only 24% of Club members scored “Proficient” or above on Reading – after training, that number raised to 35%
  • Before training, only 39% of Club members scored “Proficient” or above on Math– after training, that number raised to 55%
  • Improves Standardized Test Scores

Study #4: Wordquest Pilot Programs at Boys & Girls Clubs

Every time a Club participates in HBC, we do pre- and post-testing on the Club members to assess their growth.

The Students:

  • 15 pilot projects with students in grades 1-6
  • Club members of Boys & Girls Clubs throughout California

The Study:

  • Students participated in Wordquest
  • Before and after training, the students take the standardized reading test TOSWRF to assess their grade level in reading ability.

Results:

  • Average of 1 year’s growth in reading
  • Every Club showed growth.
  • The smallest amount of growth (in a Club that did not complete the full program) was 1 month’s growth.
  • The maximum growth was 2 years.
  • Consistent Results
  • HBC produces dramatic growth across all grade levels