Open Universities Australia (OUA) studied the effect of Smarthinking's Online Writing Lab on students' grades, course completion, and retention. The research confirmed that eighty percent of the students who used Smarthinking over a three-month period achieved a pass or better, while only 34 percent of those who did not use Smarthinking passed. Students using Smarthinking also re-enrolled at an eleven percent higher rate. Finally, student feedback reported that 93 percent of the students in the trial were satisfied or highly satisfied with the Online Writing Lab.

Independent research completed by Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, FL, supports that of OUA. In every course, students who used Smarthinking had significantly higher pass rates than nonusers and as a result, Smarthinking was made available to all students.

Jane Calfee, a writing instructor at Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, summarized the findings of a study completed by KCC. She
said, "Students receive extensive one-on-one commentary of the type which the instructor would be unable to provide because of time constraints, and which the face-to-face tutors would likely not be able to offer because of their inexperience."

StraighterLine, recently called "disruptive" by Harvard business school professor and author of "The Innovator's Dilemma," Clayton Christensen, combines the tutoring services of Smarthinking with a new, innovative, cost-effective online platform that allows students to obtain college credits through regionally accredited colleges and universities across the nation.

Student-earned credits may also be transferred to non-partner colleges that recognize StraighterLine's partners' courses as equivalent programs. The key features for the StraighterLine programme are its affordability, individualized and live academic support, and flexibility.