Schema-Based Instruction (SBI) and General Strategy Instruction (GSI)
Intervention Details
Subject
MathAcademic Programs
Special Education Services, Specific Learning Disability ProgramDuration
Three to four times a week, for 12 sessions, with each session lasting approximately an hourGrades
6, 7, 8Personnel
Special Education Teacher, General Education Teacher
Intervention Summary
Schema-based instruction (SBI) is a program that targets the mathematical problem-solving performance of middle school students with learning problems. SBI instruction emphasizes conceptual understanding of the problem structure, or schemata. The program involves teaching students to identify the problem type, use a schema diagram to represent the problem, and transform the diagram into a math sentence to solve the problem. The instruction is carried out in two phases: problem schemata instruction and problem solution instruction. In the problem schemata instruction phase, students learn to identify the problem type and represent the problem using a schematic diagram. In the problem solution instruction phase, students learn to solve for the unknown quantity in word problems using the schematic diagram. The program also involves teaching students to check the accuracy of their representation and computation.
Grades
6, 7, 8Personnel
Special Education Teacher, General Education TeacherStatistical Finding Summary
Positive effect on word problem-solving performance for students in the schema-based instruction group
No effect on word problem-solving performance for students in the general strategy instruction group
Positive effect on transfer of learned skills to structurally similar but more complex problems for students in the schema-based instruction group
No effect on transfer of learned skills to structurally similar but more complex problems for students in the general strategy instruction group
Source
Andria, D., Asha K., J. & Yan Ping, X. (2005). Effects of Mathematical Word Problem-Solving Instruction on Middle School Students with Learning Problems (EJ722297). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ722297.pdf.
Data Sample by Population
These charts show the characteristics of the student populations studied. When assessing programs, you may want to prioritize interventions that yielded success in a similar demographic environment as your school or district.