Kendall Hunt Releases Executive Summary Results of Research Study on Math Innovations Student Achievement
Dubuque, IA (PRWEB) October 24, 2013 -- Kendall Hunt Publishing Company has released summary results of a 2012-2013 school-year study to measure mathematics achievement in students using Courses 1 (sixth grade) and 2 (seventh grade) of its Math Innovations middle grades mathematics curriculum. The study showed that the students using Math Innovations scored between a year and a year-and-a-half higher on a grade-equivalent-score scale than students who did not use the program.
The study methodology included unit tests that were administered to students prior to and after studying the Math Innovations units and separate Common Core State Standards (CCSS)-based assessments that were assigned to students in the study group as well as a comparison group of students who did not use the Math Innovations curriculum. Students in both groups were comprised of similar socioeconomic backgrounds and included schools in both urban and suburban settings.
The CCSS assessment included items from two standardized assessments: the eighth grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and eighth grade Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). It also included items that were developed using sample assessment items for grades 6 and 7 released by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). Math Innovations students scored significantly higher than the comparison group on the standardized assessment items. They also scored higher than all US students and international students on the NAEP and TIMSS items.
“The Math Innovations author team is thrilled with these results,” said M. Katherine Gavin, Ph.D., lead author. “Our program was developed in accord with the CCSS and with a focus on the essential mathematics for middle grades students, emphasizing rigor and paying close attention to coherence within and across grade levels. Since Math Innovations encourages students to think and act like mathematicians through the use of the CCSS mathematical practices, we are very pleased to know that our students did so well on the study assessments.”
The study data analyses were conducted by Dr. Susan Carroll, President of Words and Numbers Research, Inc., who served as the external evaluator of the research project. She reported that results for all ten study units showed statistically significant gains in achievement for Math Innovations students.
“As an external evaluator, it is rare to see a project that dots the i’s and crosses the t’s to the point where all findings - both quantitative and qualitative – spell success,” said Carroll. “Math Innovations had stellar results for each of its 10 units, for students who were at grade level as well as those in accelerated programs, and with a rigorous statistical metric, HLM.
“Math Innovations students, who were a year or two younger than the US sample for NAEP content, outperformed the norm group,” Carroll added.
“The study data validates what we have always believed: Math Innovations is a high-quality mathematics curriculum for the middle grades that brings out the best in the students and teachers who use it,” said Charley Cook, Vice President, K-12 Publishing. “When implemented with fidelity by dedicated teachers, the program delivers outstanding results.”
Additional data from the research study that addresses student and teacher satisfaction with the program will be released by Kendall Hunt in the coming months.
For more information about the Math Innovations research study, call 1-800-542-6657, ext. 1491.
########
About Kendall Hunt:
Kendall Hunt develops high-quality, research- and inquiry-based curriculum solutions that meet educational standards and integrate the appropriate use of technology as a learning tool. It also provides support to educators through customized implementation programs designed to provide strong support to teachers and fully engage students in the classroom and at home.
Sherry Krsticevic, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, (800) 542-6657 x1491, [email protected]
Share this article