Program Description2
University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) Algebra is a one-year course covering three primary topics: (1) linear and quadratic expressions, sentences, and functions; (2) exponential expressions and functions; and (3) linear systems. Topics from geometry, probability, and statistics are integrated with the appropriate algebra. Problem-solving and real-world applications are used throughout to develop and maintain basic skills and concepts. Computer algebra system (CAS) technology is used in the classroom to aid in the development of properties and skills, and graphing calculators are used to complete assignments at home.
One study of UCSMP Algebra meets the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) evidence standards with reservations. The study includes 36 eighth-grade students in a Nebraska junior high school. This study used the first edition of UCSMP Algebra as the intervention.3
Based on this one study, the WWC considers the extent of evidence for UCSMP Algebra to be small for the math achievement domain.
UCSMP Algebra was found to have no discernible effects on math achievement.
| Math achievement | |
|---|---|
| Rating of effectiveness | No discernible effects |
| Improvement index4 | Average: –6 percentile points |
1 This report has been updated from the previous version (posted March 26, 2007) to include reviews of 10 studies that have been released since 2005. All
10 studies are not within the scope of the protocol. A complete list and disposition of all studies reviewed is provided in the references. Additionally, one
study that met standards with reservations in the previous version (Thompson, Senk, Witonsky, Usiskin, & Kaeley, 2006) will now be eligible for review
as part of the WWC high school math topic area. (The protocol for the middle school math topic area was revised to narrow the scope from examining
any students in grades 6 to 9 to examining only those students who are attending middle schools or junior high schools. Studies examining students in grade 9 who are attending high school are included in the high school math topic area.)
2 The descriptive information for this program was obtained from a publicly available source: the program’s website (https://www.wrightgroup.com/ucsmp/index.html?PHPSESSID=50e6783
8d5e498ac7fed20fc7acf10ea&gid=228, downloaded August 2008). The WWC requests developers to review
the program description sections for accuracy from their perspective. Further verification of the accuracy of the descriptive information for this program
is beyond the scope of this review.
3 The evidence presented in this report is based on available research. Findings and conclusions may change as new research becomes available.
4 These numbers show the average student-level improvement indices for all findings across the study.
|Institute of Education Sciences
Middle School Math