Date of Defense

4-21-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Computer Science

First Advisor

Wuwei Shen

Second Advisor

Robert Makin

Abstract

Reading proficiency in early education is an important factor for future academic success. However, teachers in K-5 classrooms often lack educational tools to identify where individual students must be struggling, and to give them self-paced lessons along with assignments. Interventive Learning addresses this gap by providing an adaptive platform that automates the process of identifying the skill level, delivering lessons, and progressing students from Kindergarten to 5th grade with a full understanding of each concept.

The system is built on a PostgreSQL database, which contains 131 skill sets derived from Michigan’s reading standards across three domains: Reading Literature (RSL), Reading Informational Text (RSIT), and Reading Foundational Skills (RSF). Each skill set is connected to its previous and next code through a doubly linked list structure stored directly in the database. This allows the system to traverse through the progression without any hardcoded grade level in the application layer. Each skill has a story-based reading module and an assessment consisting of multiple-choice, true or false, and open-ended questions.

When a student completes their assessment, the system automatically evaluates their score with a passing mark of 70%. Upon passing, students are promoted to the next level. If failed, they are dropped back two prerequisite levels to ensure they master the previous concepts. All the results are recorded in the database with timestamps, allowing teachers to get the students’ history.

The progression logic is implemented in Python using the psycopg2 library for adapting the database. The system was designed according to the Open-Closed principle. Testing was conducted using pytest with monkeypatch for unit isolation, metamorphic testing to verify grader consistency across input variations, and mutation testing using the cosmic ray library. The result is a functional prototype that demonstrates an automotive and adaptive reading tool for K-5 grades, with the goal of full classroom deployment.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Restricted

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