The Effects of "Math Pathways and Pitfalls" on Students' Mathematics Achievement
The Effects of

Author: Joan I. Heller

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 85

ISBN-13:

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This study was designed to assess the impact of "Mathematics Pathways and Pitfalls" ("MPP") on the mathematics that second-, fourth-, and sixth-grade students learn. The specific research questions that were addressed are: (a) What is the impact of "MPP" on students' knowledge of the mathematics topics addressed, compared to that of students using the regular math curriculum? and (b) How equitable is the impact of "MPP" on students' mathematics knowledge across levels of English language proficiency and entering mathematics ability? A cluster-randomized experimental design was implemented in five school districts. In the first year of the study, second-, fourth-, and sixth-grade teachers were randomly assigned within their school districts to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group teachers were taught how to implement "MPP" during a six-hour professional development session. In the first year of the study, experimental group teachers substituted "MPP" for a portion of their regular mathematics curriculum. The control group teachers used their regular mathematics curriculum, and received whatever professional development they normally were provided during that year. A total of 99 teachers and 1,971 students participated in the first year of the study. The "MPP" Pitfalls Quiz was the primary instrument used to measure students' mathematical knowledge. A separate "MPP" Pitfalls Quiz was developed for each grade level. Items on the "MPP" Pitfalls Quizzes assess concepts and procedures that are known to cause difficulty for students. In addition to the "MPP" Pitfalls Quizzes, standardized mathematics achievement test score data were collected. Multilevel statistical models were used to analyze the achievement test data. These analyses showed that student math performance in "MPP" classes was higher than in non-"MPP" classes for all three grade levels. With respect to the impact of "MPP" on students' mathematics knowledge across levels of English language proficiency, we found that for second and fourth grades, "MPP" impacted ELL and non-ELL students equally. The effect size statistics (ESS) for second and fourth grade were 0.43 and 0.66, respectively. For sixth grade, "MPP" had a greater treatment effect for ELL students (ESS = 0.74) than non-ELL students (ESS = 0.28). Teachers expressed strongly positive opinions about the value of the program, including that their students understood the math topics in the lessons better than students in past years, and that "MPP" helped most of their students learn the math concepts and prevent pitfalls. (Contains 29 tables.) ["Mathematics Pathways and Pitfalls" materials presented in this document were developed by the Mathematics Case Methods Project/WestEd.].

A Case Study on the Comparison of Fourth-grade Students' Mathematics Achievement as Evidenced by the Measures of Academic Progress Assessment
A Case Study on the Comparison of Fourth-grade Students' Mathematics Achievement as Evidenced by the Measures of Academic Progress Assessment

Author: Adam D. Dymond

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 206

ISBN-13:

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This dissertation was designed to examine whether fourth-grade students who received instruction in a self-contained setting were more likely to meet their target score on the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test than students who were taught in a departmentalized setting. Fourth-grade students in ALPHA School District took the MAP test in the fall and spring of the academic calendar year. Target scores were originated by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). These target scores showed the typical growth for a student in the particular grade level as calculated by national norms. The MAP test growth norms were very precise. Due to the enormous number of students involved in the norming study, NWEA staff was able to calculate the mean growth of similar groups of students from each grade level (2–10) who scored at each RIT level in the initial testing season. For this study, the researcher focused on students in the fourth grade. -- Fourth-grade students from ALPHA School District were tested in the fall of 2015 and the spring of 2016. Scores of students taking both tests were obtained and categorized into two groups: self-contained and departmentalized. Once this process was completed, the researcher analyzed the target scores to determine whether or not there were significant differences in scores of self-contained and departmentalized classrooms. Teacher participants were asked to respond to a collection of survey questions to determine which factors were key contributors to students finding success in the math program in their classroom structure (self-contained, departmentalized). The researcher followed up by utilizing a group of volunteer interview participants to partake in a brief interview based on the findings to determine the identifiable cultural classroom differences in environments in comparing self-contained and departmentalized settings. -- An analysis of the data determined that all students grew equally well regardless of their target growth and classroom structure. Through a survey, it was determined that self-contained teachers place the highest importance on the factors of human relationships and individualized instruction, while departmentalized teachers place their importance in engaging lessons and content specialization. It was discovered that teachers are better when they teach toward their strengths; that math is most effectively taught in a structured environment where routines are evident; and the value in the importance of engaging students with relevant, creative instruction.