How does Sparx personalise homework?

Sparx uses student data to personalise homework

Initially, homework is set based on a level given to the class by the teacher. Over the course of around the first 100 questions (which would be around 4-5 weeks for a 60-minute homework), Sparx creates a profile of each student’s ability level, working speed and activity on specific topics. One of the key components of Sparx Maths is personalised, achievable homework for every student. Sparx learns a student’s ability and speed and adjusts their homework to the set length and level for the topic set by the teacher and the school’s scheme of work. For a more detailed explanation, you can view this 20-minute webinar we previously held:

Student profiles are solely based on their question-answer history

We create profiles of students so that we can understand their abilities and speed. Profiles are fully compliant with the ICO guidance on profiling, especially of children. The profiles do not include the time of day or how close to the due date they completed their homework or other demographics such as gender, pupil premium, free school meal or English as an additional language status.

A teacher can override an automated level at any time 

Because levels can be overridden at any time the data subject's rights about automated decision-making do not apply. The level a student is working at is judged after approximately 100 questions, and will continually adjust based on how the student performs in their homework. This level is shown to teachers within Teacher Portal for each student and can be overridden within the product by teachers on a student-by-student basis. When this is manually overridden, this means that the automatic algorithmic decision is discarded, and the overridden value is used when setting homework for these students. Teachers can revert back to the Sparx algorithm working level for a student at any time. The Sparx level will be visible before they decide to change back.