Achievement Effects of Four Early Elementary School Math Curricula

This study evaluates the relative effects of four early elementary school math curricula on first grade student achievement in disadvantaged schools. The four curricula are: Investigations in Number, Data, and Space (a student-centered approach), Math Expressions (blending student-centered and teacher-directed approaches), Saxon Math (a scripted, teacher-directed approach), and Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Mathematics (a basal program with teacher-directed instruction). Schools were randomly assigned to one of the four curricula. All first grade teachers in participating schools received initial training from publishers (ranging from 1-2 days) and 96% received follow-up training during the school year. Teachers also had access to curriculum materials, and most had support from math coaches or specialists. The study was implemented in 39 schools across 4 districts during the 2006-2007 school year, with 131 first grade classrooms and 1,309 students tested in both fall and spring.