Evidence-Backed Findings
Fantasy Sports Math League has been developing and testing the game for several years. Each time students and teachers have used the game in their math and STEM settings we see consistent evidence of increases in math scores, increases in math and fraction confidence and decreases in math anxiety. Here are some consistent findings from our 3 most recent studies.
- Spring 2026 QED Study
- Fall 2025 Pilot
- Feasibility Fall 2023 Pilot
Consistent Finding #1: Math Skill Gains
All three studies found significant gains in math performance among FSML participants. 2023: significant improvement on multiple equation items (Cohen's d = .38 - .62). 2025: +1.38 problems correct (11-item scale, p < .001); 6th graders gained most (+2.10, 3x other grades). 2026: +13 percentage points vs. a comparison group (p = .004), plus a significant within-group pre-to-post gain (p = .024).
Playing FSML changed how I feel about math class and made me feel more motivated — math used to be my least favorite, and then that changed.
— 6th Grader
Consistent Finding #2: Confidence and Anxiety
2023 significant reductions in math/fraction anxiety and gains in math confidence (both sexes combined; boys drove the confidence gain).
2025 fraction confidence +0.50 (p < .001); fraction anxiety -0.29 (p = .044).
2026 fraction-equation confidence +0.15 in the treatment group (p = .05), with no comparable change in the comparison group.
Consistent Finding #3: Equity Pattern
A similar equity pattern recurs across studies: students who start with the lowest skill or confidence, and non-White students, tend to see the largest gains or biggest anxiety reductions — even when overall-sample effects are modest.
2023 FSML significantly increased math confidence for non-White participants (p = .01); Hispanic participants had significant reductions in homework stress and math anxiety.
2025 students entering with 0-5/11 correct in the math equations questions gained +3.19 correct solutions (more than tripling baseline); non-White students showed substantially greater anxiety reduction than White students (-0.57 vs. -0.02).
2026 sample sizes were too small for a full subgroup breakdown, but the overall treatment effect held after controlling for grade, gender, and race/ethnicity.
Consistent Finding #4: Ease of Implementation
Across all three studies, teachers consistently reported that FSML was easy to bring into their classrooms, engaged students, and they wanted to keep using it. In the Fall 2025 pilot, 75% reported increased engagement, peer communication, and willingness to tackle challenging math; teachers described draft day as "full of excitement and energy" and that weekly scoring took as little as 10 - 15 minutes once set up. In the Spring 2026 QED study, teachers described low prep burden (roughly 30 minutes for setup, then 10 - 20 minutes weekly) and used FSML as a supplement, warm-up, or standalone project.
What This Means Together
Across three cohorts, three designs, and three years, FSML is associated with improved math performance and reduced math/fraction anxiety, with the Spring 2026 QED study providing the strongest causal evidence to date via a comparison group and covariate-adjusted regression.
Downloadable Resources
The 2026 Quasi Experimental Design Study
A quasi-experimental design (QED) with treatment and comparison groups — the first FSML study to include a comparison group was conducted in Spring 2026 with a matched sample of 133 middle school students in math and STEM classes in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Students played FSML for about 5 weeks during April-June 2026, using FSML Flashback Football, an off-season version of the game with historical player data (since regular in-season NFL concurrent play was not available during this time).
Math Skill Outcomes Were Higher for Students Who Played FSML
In the final regression model (R² = .362, F = 24.05, p < .001) treatment status was associated with a .131 higher post-score (SE = .044, p = .004) — a 13.1 percentage point advantage on the 11-item assessment, holding prior performance and demographics constant.
Within the treatment group, math scores rose significantly from pre to post (+.045 on the 0-1 scale, p = .024); the comparison group showed no significant change (-.038, n.s.).
Virtually all of my students below grade level improved dramatically in fractions during this time. The entire classroom was highly motivated to compete, succeed, and learn.
— 6th Grade Math Teacher
Confidence, Engagement was Higher for Students Who Played FSML
Fraction-equation confidence rose significantly for the treatment group (+0.151, p = .05 one-sided) while the comparison group showed no significant change (-0.095, n.s.).
53% of student respondents rated their enjoyment of FSML a 4 or 5 (of 5); 40% rated its help understanding math concepts a 4 or 5.
Students most often said FSML helped them practice multiplying fractions (63%), adding/subtracting fractions (52%), and solving equations (44%). Favorite activities were drafting players (61%) and competing with classmates (54%).
Implementation
Teachers used FSML mainly as a supplement to regular instruction (also as a warm-up or extra project), averaging 5 weeks of use between pre- and post-survey. Based on in-platform usage statistics, 45% of participating students completed FSML gameplay for at least 4 weeks, primarily driven by the associated classroom routine and teacher facilitation.
The 2025 Pilot Study
A single-group pre/post pilot with no comparison group was conducted in Fall 2025 over 4 to 18 weeks to test the impact of Fantasy Sports Math League with 104 matched students in 9 classes.
Math Skill Gains
The total math knowledge scores improved from pre to posttest. Students entering with 0–5/11 correct gained +3.19 problems — more than tripling baseline. Largest gains consistently were seen among the lowest-starting students.
Students who finished quickly became helpers to students who work more slowly, and they enjoyed this role more than being helpers at other times or in other subjects.
— Middle Schoool STEM Teacher
Improved Confidence
Fraction confidence was the lowest-rated item at baseline and produced the largest, most significant change — impact aligned with the game's core mechanic.
Non-White students showed substantially greater reduction in fraction anxiety (−0.57 vs. −0.02 for White students, p=.052). Fraction confidence gains were nearly identical across groups (+0.49 vs. +0.51).
The 2023 Feasibility Study (2023 Research Phase)
A single-group pre/post pilot with no comparison group was conducted in Fall 2023 over 4 weeks to test the feasibility of Fantasy Sports Math League with 97 students in 3 middle schools.
Math Skill Gains
Equation-solving scores improved significantly (equation scale, p = .004, Cohen's d = 1.68); 4 of 6 individual equation items reached significance on their own (p = .002–.02).
The combined math scale (equations + graphs) approached significance (p = .058) — driven almost entirely by the equation items rather than the graphing items, suggesting the equation-heavy weekly scoring mechanic was doing most of the instructional work.
I used to not really like math but FSML changed that, and I really like it now.
— 6th Grade Girl
Improved Confidence & Reduced Anxiety
The Math Anxiety Scale dropped significantly (p = .013) and the Math Confidence Scale rose (p = .052, borderline significant); confidence specifically in “finding solutions to math problems” improved on its own (p = .02).
FSML significantly increased math confidence for non-White participants (p = .01). Hispanic participants showed significant reductions in homework stress and math anxiety; non-Hispanic participants showed significant gains in equation scores instead.
Why This Justified Phase II Investment
In a single 4-week pilot with no comparison group, FSML produced significant improvements in math skill, confidence, and anxiety — with the strongest signal on the outcomes the program was designed to move. The equity findings hinted that FSML could benefit different groups of students in different, complementary ways. Together, these results supported the case for U.S. Department of Education Institute Education Science SBIR Phase II funding, which went on to fund the full development and testing of Fantasy Sports Math League.
Downloadable Resources
Publications & Conferences
Peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations featuring Fantasy Sports Math League research will be added here as they become available.
Laris, B. A., Barrett, Mia, & Drazan, John (2026). Fractions, Fantasy Football, and Playful Learning: A Theory-Informed Approach to Multi-Dimensional Engagement in a Middle School Math Game. Accepted for presentation and publication at the Joint Conference on Serious Games (JCSG 2026).
Laris, B. A., & Barrett, Mia (October 2026). Marvelous Math Any Way You Play It: Sports as a Bridge to Real-World Math. Presentation at the 16th Annual Marvelous Education Alliance Symposium, Arlington, VA.
Laris, B. A., & Barrett, Mia (October 2026). Draft Your Team, Learn the Math. Learning Workshop at the ED Games Expo, Arlington, VA.