Understanding Data-Informed Decision-Making in Western Cape Schools & Districts 
Drs Isabel Tarling, Warren Lilley, Jennifer Feldman & Prof D.B. le Roux (2025)

This report provides independent evidence that, at scale across Western Cape schools, consistent MCO use is strongly associated with improved Maths performance - with every 13.5 Brain Quests linked to a 9.7% increase in pass rates and a 5% rise in averages. The strongest gains were recorded in Quintile 1 schools, demonstrating meaningful equity impact in under-resourced communities.
Importantly, the report also shows how MCO data is being used weekly by district and provincial officials to inform targeted support, embed insights into District Improvement Plans, and drive system-wide, data-informed decision-making.
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Download the full MERL 2025 report to explore the detailed analysis, statistical findings, and practical insights shaping Maths improvement across the Western Cape.

The Association Between the Use of Green Shoots Maths Curriculum Online
​ and (WCED) Systemics Outcomes, Prof D. B. le Roux (2025)

This independent study by Prof D.B. le Roux (Limina Education Services) examined 487 Western Cape schools and found a strong positive association between learner use of Green Shoots Maths Curriculum Online (MCO) and Grade 6 WCED Systemics results
The research shows that for every additional 13.5 Brain Quests completed per learner, a school’s Systemics Average increased by just over 5% and its Pass Rate increased by 9.7%. Schools that used MCO intensively showed meaningful year-on-year improvement — with the strongest impact evident in Quintile 1 schools.
These findings reinforce the power of structured digital practice, real-time feedback and data-informed teaching to improve Maths outcomes at scale.
Download the full independent research report to explore the complete analysis and findings

Measuring the learning gains from engagement with the Green Shoots Maths Curriculum Online, Dr Isabel Tarling (2023)

An independent large-scale study of the Western Cape Education Department’s rollout of the Green Shoots Maths Curriculum Online (MCO) examined learning gains across 500 primary schools — including rural and urban, Quintile 1 to 5 contexts
The findings show that MCO contributes to meaningful learning gains for learners, teachers and parents — not only academically, but behaviourally and affectively:
  • ​Learners showed improved confidence, greater engagement, stronger self-regulated learning behaviours, and measurable improvements in assessment performance - with particularly strong gains in lower quintile schools.
  • Teachers reported increased pedagogical confidence, stronger content knowledge, improved assessment design, and greater use of data to differentiate instruction
  • ​Parents became more engaged and empowered to support their children’s Maths learning.
Importantly, gains were observed across diverse schooling contexts, demonstrating that structured digital practice, real-time feedback and system-wide data use can support improvement at scale — even in resource-constrained environments.
Download the full research paper to explore the detailed findings and system-wide impact.

Integrated Maths Programme, Dr Isabel Tarling  

An independent Monitoring & Evaluation study of the Integrated Maths Programme (2016–2018) examined implementation across three Western Cape districts and one Northern Cape District, including rural and under-resourced schools
The evaluation covered dozens of primary schools participating in the Integrated Maths Programme and found measurable improvements at learner, teacher and school level:
  • Improved learner attainment, particularly in schools with consistent engagement.
  • Stronger teacher confidence and content knowledge, alongside increased use of learner performance data to inform planning
  • Whole-school strengthening of Maths practices, embedding structured planning, monitoring and accountability.
Importantly, the study showed that impact was evident across diverse contexts, including rural and Quintile 1–3 schools, demonstrating that when structured digital practice, teacher development and data-informed decision-making work together, sustainable improvement is possible at scale.
Download the full Monitoring & Evaluation Report to explore the detailed findings and district-level insights. ​
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