The Project Essay Grade (PEG) automated scoring algorithm is one of the many significant outcomes of artificial intelligence in education. In a recent blog post, ERB President Tom Rochon explained how educators can use AI to improve student writing.
Now we want to take a deeper dive into the PEG scoring algorithm that drives ERB Writing Practice, our online program that evaluates student essays and delivers instant, actionable feedback.
What Is the PEG Scoring Algorithm?
The Project Essay Grade® (PEG®) software is an automated essay scoring solution that builds upon Dr. Ellis Batten Page’s research in computational linguistics spanning over 40 years. PEG analyzes written prose, measures writing characteristics like fluency and grammar, and models the decision-making process of expert readers, ultimately producing accurate and reliable scores. The effectiveness of PEG has been validated in more independent studies than any other essay scoring solution available.
The PEG algorithm has been trained using a vast database of expertly written and graded essays as a reference point for scoring written work. It provides feedback and scores based on the six traits of effective writing: the development of ideas, organization, style, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.
The PEG Algorithm: Igniting Better Essays
In a national study, PEG emerged as the most accurate among the top three automated scoring algorithms. Students who received PEG feedback alongside traditional writing instruction demonstrated a 22% stronger improvement in their writing skills compared with those who did not. The study examined the work of 800 middle school students who participated in a PEG Writing intervention program over two months.
This AI-powered platform offers real-time, actionable feedback that helps students revise and refine their work effectively. It goes beyond serving as a mere proofreading tool; it is a personalized learning aid. PEG helps students understand their writing patterns, identify common errors, and learn how to avoid them in the future. In addition to resulting in higher-quality essays, PEG also nurtures a deeper grasp of the writing process, supporting students in becoming more confident and skilled writers.
Using PEG not only elevated the quality of student essays but also fostered a proactive approach to learning. Students became more engaged in their work, displaying a greater willingness to revise and refine their essays based on the algorithm’s feedback.
The Benefits of PEG in Writing Instruction
PEG opens up new possibilities for more personalized online learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace and in their preferred manner, whether in the classroom or at home. The PEG algorithm also provides teachers with detailed analytics to monitor student progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly.
However, it’s important to understand that AI tools like the PEG algorithm are not meant to replace traditional teaching methods but rather, to complement them. They provide an avenue to personalize and enhance the learning experience, empowering students to reach their full potential.
The PEG algorithm offers several advantages to educators, including:
- Eliminating bias, ensuring an objective assessment of student work
- Providing immediate feedback, enabling students to address areas needing improvement promptly
- Efficiently handling large volumes of essays, making it a valuable tool for teachers with numerous students
Automated scoring also supports parents and families in improving their students’ writing skills remotely as a supplement to classroom instruction. AI-driven feedback allows students to work independently and on demand, even personalizing instruction and giving prompts that align with students’ strengths and areas of improvement.
ERB Writing Practice and the Power of the PEG Algorithm
ERB Writing Practice exemplifies the power of the PEG scoring algorithm. Harnessing the PEG scoring algorithm to provide students with immediate feedback, ERB Writing Practice enables them to continue practicing and improving their writing skills.
Designed for students in grades 3-12, the online program helps students enhance their writing skills through practice, feedback, and guided support by offering a vast library of more than 500 prompts and lessons. By automating the feedback process, educators can gain more data to help inform student growth, save time in providing feedback, and provide students with unlimited opportunities to boost their writing skills.
Summer Discount on ERB Writing Practice
Keep learners engaged this summer and boost their writing skills with reduced pricing on ERB Writing Practice, designed for students entering grades 3-12. Learn more, or order now as an ERB member school.
