Research on three interventions designed to improve student outcomes in science and math.

 Science Teachers Learning through Lesson Analysis (STeLLA^®) is a professional development program for elementary teachers that aims to improve science achievement. The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) is a core curriculum designed to teach middle school students mathematics concepts, applications, and skills. Math Expressions is a core curriculum designed to teach elementary students mathematics knowledge and skills. The results are summarized in three intervention reports released today by the Institute of Education Sciences.

 

Science Teachers Learning through Lesson Analysis (STeLLA^®)

STeLLA^® aims to improve student science achievement by improving how elementary teachers (a) explain science concepts to students, (b) clearly identify to students the science concepts used in student learning activities, and (c) engage students in thinking about science. Teachers learn from postsecondary science faculty and STeLLA^®professional development leaders at an in-person summer institute. During the institute, teachers begin improving their science content knowledge, become familiar with STeLLA^® lesson plans and instructional strategies, and learn to analyze videos of experienced teachers delivering model lesson plans and using the instructional strategies. During the school year, teachers videorecord themselves delivering STeLLA^® lesson plans, meet in study groups at their school, and receive in-person or online guidance from their STeLLA^® professional development leader to analyze their own and one another’s videorecorded lessons.

Based on the research, the WWC found that STeLLA^® has potentially positive effects on science achievement. The WWC based its conclusion on its review of one study of STeLLA^® that met WWC group design standards. The study sample included 2,823 students grades 4 and 5 in 77 elementary schools in Colorado.

Read the full STeLLA^® intervention report and learn more about the study that contributed to this report.

 

University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP)

UCSMP is a core mathematics curriculum for middle school that includes materials and a routinized instructional approach with an option for teacher training. The curriculum uses an inquiry-based approach with a focus on active learning where students frequently engage in hands-on activities and small-group activities. UCSMP is recommended for use during math instruction for 45 to 60 minutes daily throughout the entire school year. The WWC’s review focuses on two UCSMP courses often implemented in grades 6 to 9: Pre-Transition Mathematics and Transition Mathematics.

Based on the research, the WWC found that UCSMP has no discernible effects on algebra or general mathematics achievement relative to other math curricula used in study schools. The WWC based its conclusion on its review of three studies that met WWC group design standards. The three studies included 637 students in grades 6 to 9 from 14 elementary, middle, and high schools in urban, suburban, and rural school districts across various states.

Read the full UCSMP intervention report and learn more about the studies that contributed to this report.

 

Math Expressions

The Math Expressions curriculum is designed to build elementary students’ conceptual understanding of mathematics and to develop fluency in mathematical problem solving and computation. The Math Expressionscurriculum encourages student learning of mathematics through real-world situations, visual supports such as drawings and manipulatives, multiple approaches to solving problems, and opportunities for students to explain their mathematical thinking. Math Expressions is recommended for use 60 minutes a day throughout the entire school year.

Based on the research, the WWC found that Math Expressions has no discernible effects on general mathematics achievement relative to other math curricula used in study schools. The WWC based its conclusion on its review of one study of Math Expressions that met WWC group design standards. The study sample included 8,060 students in grades 1 and 2 in 110 elementary schools in 12 districts across 10 states.

Read the full Math Expressions intervention report and learn more about the study that contributed to this report.