WWC review of this study

Improving Student Learning of Ratio, Proportion, and Percent: A Replication Study of Schema-Based Instruction

Jitendra, Asha K.; Harwell, Michael R.; Im, Soo-hyun; Karl, Stacy R.; Slater, Susan C. (2019). Journal of Educational Psychology, v111 n6 p1045-1062. Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1223177

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    1,411
     Students
    , grade
    7

Reviewed: July 2021

At least one finding shows strong evidence of effectiveness
At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
General Mathematics Achievement outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

GMADE Process and Application subtest

Schema-based instruction vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
1,377 students

13.89

12.65

Yes

 
 
10
 
Number and Operations outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Proportional Problem Solving (PPS) test

Schema-based instruction vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
1,411 students

15.48

12.61

Yes

 
 
13
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Proportional Problem Solving (PPS) test, short-response subscale

Schema-based instruction vs. Business as usual

0 Days

Full sample;
1,411 students

2.25

1.55

Yes

 
 
9

Proportional Problem Solving (PPS) test

Schema-based instruction vs. Business as usual

9 Weeks

Full sample;
1,331 students

14.29

12.59

Yes

 
 
8

Proportional Problem Solving (PPS) test, short-response subscale

Schema-based instruction vs. Business as usual

9 Weeks

Full sample;
1,331 students

1.95

1.56

No

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Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • 9% English language learners

  • Female: 49%
    Male: 50%

  • Rural, Suburban, Urban
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    South, West
  • Race
    Asian
    5%
    Black
    8%
    Other or unknown
    31%
    White
    56%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    26%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    74%

Setting

The study took place in 36 middle schools in 5 school districts in one western and one southeastern state. The majority of schools were located in suburban (31) areas and also included a few urban (2) and rural schools (3).

Study sample

A total of 1,411 students in grade 7 mathematics classes were included in the study. The 1,411 students in middle schools were taught by 59 teachers in 36 schools. Approximately 56 percent of the students were White, 8 percent were Black, 5 percent were Asian, and 31 percent did not report race. Approximately 26 percent of students were Hispanic and 24 percent were receiving free/reduced price lunch. About 50 percent of the students were male, 49 percent were female, and 1 percent did not report gender. In addition, there were 9 percent of students who were English learners and 9 percent of students had an unspecified disability.

Intervention Group

Students in the intervention group received schema-based instruction (SBI), a mathematical program designed to assist students in their problem-solving reasoning that involves proportional relationships. The program consists of 21 lessons that were completed in approximately 30 days. The first 10 lessons focused on the meaning of ratios, equivalent ratios, and rates and solving these in the context of scale drawings in word problems. The second set of 10 lessons focused on percent (including fractions and decimals as alternative representations) and solving word problems involving part–whole comparisons, percent of change, including problems involving sales taxes, discounts, tips, and simple interest, as well multistep adjustment percent of change problems. The last lesson reviewed all of the lessons. SBI was provided during regularly scheduled grade 7 mathematics classes. Instruction was administered daily to the whole class for 6 weeks, averaging 45 minutes per session.

Comparison Group

Students in the comparison group received business-as-usual grade 7 mathematics instruction. Topics discussed included the same content taught in the intervention classes but using practice standards (for example, look for and make use of structure, model with mathematics) identified by the school district. Similar to the intervention group, instruction was administered daily for 6 weeks, averaging 45 minutes per session. However, teachers assigned to the comparison condition did not have access to SBI materials that were available to teachers in the intervention condition.

Support for implementation

An expert in problem solving outside of the research team provided a 2-day SBI training to teachers assigned to the intervention condition. The training familiarized teachers with the lessons and scope of the program, taught the critical SBI practices, and provided teaching material.

In the case of multiple manuscripts that report on one study, the WWC selects one manuscript as the primary citation and lists other manuscripts that describe the study as additional sources.

  • Jitendra, Asha K.; Harwell, Michael R.; Im, Soo-hyun; Karl, Stacy R.; Slater, Susan C. (2018). Using Regression Discontinuity to Estimate the Effects of a Tier 1 Research-Based Mathematics Program in Seventh-Grade.

 

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