David Purpura

The purpose of this research is to explore whether exposure to perceptual cues, referred to as perceptual scaffolding, in mathematics notation (e.g., using color to highlight key terms such as the inverse operators in an expression) may disrupt in-the-moment fluency, lead learners to pause and notice structural patterns, then ultimately practice more flexible and efficient problem solving. This project will yield evidence on how, when, and for whom perceptual scaffolding works to inform clas...

The researchers will test the initial efficacy of Early Learning Matters (ELM) for promoting school readiness. In recent years, the need for a research-informed, comprehensive curriculum for early care and education (ECE) settings has become evident. Critically, the existing comprehensive curricula that are most commonly used (e.g., Creative Curriculum, High Scope) either (1) have not been studied rigorously; (2) are expensive, making access a challenge for programs with few resources (e.g.,...

The purpose of this study is to develop, refine, and evaluate a new math language intervention, Reading and Playing with Math (RP-Math). Math language is the specific content language (e.g., words and concepts such as more, fewer, a lot, many) that has distinct meanings when used in math contexts. It is one of the strongest predictors of growth in numeracy skills, and it underlies acquisition of numeracy skills. Yet there are currently no empirically supported tools for providing instruction...

Development of a Responsive Computerized-Adaptive Assessment System for Pre-K Mathematics

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using a learning trajectories approach to mathematics instruction to foster the development of early mathematics skills which are predictive of later school achievement. A learning trajectories approach includes a goal for teaching a mathematics concept, a developmental progression of levels of thinking about the concept, and instructional activities and content for each developmental level. Although research has shown that educational...

The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate the promise of a self-regulation intervention designed for use with children from low-income backgrounds with the goal of promoting the development of school readiness skills. Self-regulation has been identified as a key predictor of school readiness and both short- and long-term academic achievement. Many children, especially those experiencing socio-demographic risks, enter school without adequate self-regulation skills and with few op...