WWC review of this study

A Fraction Sense Intervention for Sixth Graders with or at Risk for Mathematics Difficulties [Fraction sense intervention vs. control]

Dyson, Nancy I.; Jordan, Nancy C.; Barbieri, Christina A.; Rodrigues, Jessica; Rinne, Luke (2018). Retrieved from: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED603994

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    52
     Students
    , grade
    6

Reviewed: October 2019

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

Fraction Arithmetic

Targeted Math Intervention vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample;
52 students

6.99

5.23

Yes

 
 
18
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Fraction Arithmetic

Targeted Math Intervention vs. Business as usual

7 Weeks

Full sample;
52 students

5.70

5.10

No

--
Rational Numbers Knowledge outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Fraction Concepts

Targeted Math Intervention vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample;
52 students

17.39

13.90

Yes

 
 
34
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Fraction Concepts

Targeted Math Intervention vs. Business as usual

7 Weeks

Full sample;
52 students

17.91

15.71

Yes

 
 
24
Rational Numbers Magnitude Understanding/Relative Magnitude Understanding outcomes—Statistically significant positive effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Fraction Number Line Estimation (FNLE)

Targeted Math Intervention vs. Business as usual

1 Day

Full sample;
52 students

14.31

21.36

Yes

 
 
32
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Fraction Number Line Estimation (FNLE)

Targeted Math Intervention vs. Business as usual

7 Weeks

Full sample;
52 students

13.53

21.74

Yes

 
 
35


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.


  • 18% English language learners

  • Female: 56%
    Male: 44%
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    Northeast
  • Race
    Black
    23%
    White
    32%
  • Ethnicity
    Hispanic    
    40%
    Not Hispanic or Latino    
    60%

Setting

The study was conducted in two Northeastern schools.

Study sample

Student level characteristics were only provided for the two schools as a whole, not for the analytic sample in the study. On average, roughly 32 percent were white, 23 percent were black, and 40 percent were Hispanic. About 18 percent were English Learners, 30 percent were from families of low socioeconomic status, and 11 percent were identified as needing special education services.

Intervention Group

The intervention was a supplemental research-based fraction sense intervention for sixth graders with or at risk for mathematics difficulties. The goal of the intervention was to build understanding of fraction magnitudes on the number line. Researchers delivered the intervention in small groups of 4 students in 21 sessions over a 6-week period, approximately 5 days a week. Each session lasted 45 minutes during a period of time when each school delivered supplemental mathematics instruction. The sessions aimed to improve the understanding of fractions, relations between fractions, and fraction operations. Lesson goals mirrored Common Core State Standards in Mathematics for fraction instruction for grades 3 to 6. Each session consisted of a warm-up, oral counting of fractions exercise, explicit instruction activities, practice activities, multiplication fluency games, and formative assessment.

Comparison Group

The comparison condition was a business-as-usual control group in which students received varying supplemental instruction by their school during the allotted intervention period. Students in the comparison condition received small group instruction (School A) or individual instruction using the Think Through Math software (School B).

Support for implementation

Prior to the start of the intervention, instructors received a total of 8 hours of training that included practice in use of gestures, error correction procedures, and instructor/student dialogue. Additionally, weekly 1 hour meetings were held throughout the intervention period to give instructors opportunities for debriefing on lessons already taught and training on upcoming lessons. Lessons were scripted and audio was recorded to ensure fidelity of implementation.

 

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