Investigation of Instructional Approaches to Elementary Math

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall aim of the proposed project is to test the efficacy of a relatively new, well-developed math program on the math achievement of elementary school students in mainstream classes in urban schools. Use of this program is increasing in Canada and the United Kingdom. Preliminary findings derived from uncontrolled trials and our own pilot, randomized controlled trial suggest it may yield meaningful gains in math achievement for both at-risk and achieving students, as indexed by their performance on national exams, in national math competitions, as well as on standardized measures of math achievement. However, the program has yet to be rigorously evaluated to determine its relative efficacy compared to the math programs typically used by school boards. The program provision of grade-specific teacher's guides and student workbooks (for grades 1 to 8), and minimal teacher training, points to its potential utility for full-scale implementation, should its efficacy be confirmed.

Official Title
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Investigation of the Efficacy of the JUMP Program of Mathematics Instruction

Conditions
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Student Math Achievement

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: JumpMath


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: The students must: have sufficient command of English to understand their teacher's instructions (as judged by their teacher, ELL students will be included provided they meet this criterion). They must have a signed parental consent form and also assent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: The students must have no uncorrected sensory, neurological, or physical impairments that would preclude the use of manipulatives, perceiving written math materials and figures, or hearing the teacher's instructions.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Years
Maximum Age: 13 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: JumpMath<br>The JUMP method focuses more on the mental activity involved in constructing mathematical knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on symbolic math (numbers, letters, mathematical symbols). Manipulatives are used prescriptively, in lessons carefully scaffolded to help students connect the objects (e.g., three buttons) to what they are intended to stand for (the magnitude 3). | Behavioral: JumpMath<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The change scores on the Math Fluency, Calculation, and Applied Problems sub scales from a standardized battery (WJ-III) and on a curriculum based math measure, as well as on the results from a regional math assessment test. |  | Fall and Spring of School Years 1 and 2 Years |