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Measuring and Improving Executive Functioning in the Classroom

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Abstract

Executive function (EF) is a collection of self-regulatory control processes that are compromised by poverty and powerfully predict academic outcomes in children. Despite this, there are few evidence-based interventions to improve EF. Given the importance of measurement of EF in the context of the classroom where children learn, we first report results showing the validity and reliability of over 60,000 web-based, classroom administrations of tests of EF that have previously only been widely used in laboratory research. Using these tests, we next show that 800 min of computer-presented cognitive training exercises can improve EF, after controlling for practice effects and developmental effects (working memory: partial η2 = .039, response inhibition: partial η2 = .132, interference control: partial η2 = .072). The abilities to measure and improve EF at low cost and large scale in classrooms can contribute to improved, evidence-based education and potentially help reduce achievement gaps associated with poverty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. E. P. Bradley Hospital/Alpert Medical School of Brown University, East Providence, RI, USA

    Brian C. Kavanaugh

  2. Ardahan State Hospital, Ardahan, Turkey

    Omer Faruk Tuncer

  3. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Bruce E. Wexler

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  1. Brian C. Kavanaugh
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  2. Omer Faruk Tuncer
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  3. Bruce E. Wexler
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Correspondence to Brian C. Kavanaugh.

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Conflict of Interest

Bruce E. Wexler reports a financial interest in C8 Sciences, a Yale startup company that sells the Activate program to schools. The other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

All procedures were approved by the Yale University School of Medicine Human Investigations Committee (consent/assent were not required per committee decision since the schools made the decision to use the programs and assessments as part of the school curriculum).

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Kavanaugh, B.C., Tuncer, O.F. & Wexler, B.E. Measuring and Improving Executive Functioning in the Classroom. J Cogn Enhanc 3, 271–280 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-018-0095-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-018-0095-y

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