Title: Algebraic Reasoning for Students with Mathematics Learning Disabilities: Improving Effectiveness Through Evidence-Based Practices, Professional Development, and Data-Based Instruction.

​

Purpose: This Model Demonstration Project is being is being funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education (Grant #H326M170003). The purpose of this project is to provide technical assistance to middle schools to improve algebraic reasoning for students with mathematics disabilities and students with mathematics difficulties. The model will be implemented within a multi-tiered system of support. As part of this project, classroom teachers, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals working with students struggling with mathematics will receive professional development and job-embedded coaching. Other aspects of the model include screening students, supporting intervention implementation, monitoring student progress, and making data-based decisions. Three middle schools will participate in this model demonstration project. A lag implementation design, with the model being implemented in only one middle school per year, will be used. Schools will be supported to facilitate sustained use of the model.

 

Timeline: The project will be conducted over four years: 2018-2022.

​

Key Personnel: Russell Gersten (PI); Madhavi Jayanthi (co-PI); Joseph Dimino (co-PI); Robin Schumacher (co-PI)

​

Instructional Materials

Table of Contents

 

1. What is Algebraic Reasoning

   • a. PowerPoint

2. Mathematical Language

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Materials

     • 1. Article: Supporting Clear and Concise Mathematics Language: Instead of That, Say This (Hughes, Powel, & Stevens, 2016)

     • 2. Article: 12 Math Rules that Expire in the Middle Grades (Karp, Bush & Dougherty, 2015)

     • 3. Article: 13 Rules that Expire (Karp, Bush & Dougherty, 2014)

     • 4. Article: Circumventing High School Rules that Expire (Dougherty, Bush, & Karp, 2017)

3. Manipulatives and Representations

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Materials

     • 1. Handout 3a: Using Cuisenaire Rods—Fractions Operations Reminders

     • 2. Handout 3b: Practice Problems for Addition and Subtraction of Fractions

     • 3. Handout 3c: Practice Problems with Algebraic Expressions

4. Think Alouds and Student Explanations

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Videos

     • 1. Ratio Word Problem Think Aloud (File name: 1_Session 2A_Sally Think Aloud_Robin_NA.mp4)

     • 2. Problem 1-Mixed Number Addition Think Aloud (File name: 2_MVI_0040.MP4)

     • 3. Problem 2-Mixed Number Addition Procedural Think Aloud Approach (File name: 3_IMG_0008.mov)

     • 4. Problem 2-Mixed Number Addition Conceptual Think Aloud Approach (File name: 4_MVI_0041.MP4)

     • 5. Problem 3-Mixed Number Addition Conceptual Think Aloud Approach (File name: 2_MVI_0042.MP4)

   • c. Materials

     • 1. Handout: Video Practice

     • 2. Handout: Think Aloud Practice

     • 3. Handout: Student Explanations-Question Shells

     • 4. Handout: Think Aloud Steps

5. Revising Standard Mathematical Tasks: Reversibility, Flexibility, Generalization (RFG) Framework

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Materials

     • 1. Developing Concepts and Generalizations to Build Algebraic Thinking: The Reversibility, Flexibility and Generalization Approach (Dougherty, Bryant, Bryant, Darrough & Pfannenstiel, 2014)

6. Other Instructional Supports for Mathematics Intervention

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Materials

     • 1. Other Instructional Supports

7. Co-Teaching

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Materials

     • 1. Handout: Six Common Approaches to Co-Teaching

8. Coaching

   • a. PowerPoint

   • b. Materials

     • 1. Handout: TFC Observation Guide

     • 2. Handout: TFC Observation Form

     • 3. Handout: SFC Observation Guide

     • 4. Handout: SFC Observation Form