Efficacy Evaluation of the Mathematics Intervention Toolkit for the Elementary Grades
New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)
No
Regular
08/22/2023
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
9,630
0
3,106
0
0
0
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) requests OMB clearance for data collection related to the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) program. ED, in consultation with REL Northeast and the Islands (REL-NEI) under contract 91990022C0013 has planned a study of the efficacy of a professional development (PD) course for fourth and fifth grade math intervention teachers in the state of Massachusetts. Researchers at WestEd will carry out a school-level randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of the PD course and investigate how and whether the PD course is helping teachers improve their practices and boost student learning. OMB approval is being requested for REL-NEIâs data collection for this project, including pre and post measures of student skills and attitudes, and teacher knowledge, beliefs, and feedback regarding instructional practice and implementation of the PD course.
Elementary math achievement is a topic of national concern. Students who leave elementary school with a strong foundation in mathematics, particularly fractions, are better prepared to succeed in middle school mathematics and algebra. Algebra is a well-documented gatekeeper to advanced high school math coursework, which is consistently linked to increased post-secondary opportunities and earnings. On the 2019 NAEP report card, only 41% of grade 4 students scored Proficient or above in math, and these numbers are lower for students from marginalized backgrounds. These opportunity gaps persist at the secondary level, so need to be addressed as soon as they appear.
Given this need, district leaders in Massachusetts are seeking ways to bolster learning for students who struggle with mathematics. Some of these approaches adopted by districts target core instruction, but districts are also interested in strengthening their approaches to intervention. Together with the Massachusetts Partnership to Support Student Learning Through Math Intervention, REL-NEI is designing a toolkit PD course to build educatorsâ knowledge of and ability to implement the recommendations of a new What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Practice Guide, Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades. By using the PD courseâs extensive resources, districts will be able to provide teachers with in-depth PD on the recommendations and how to implement them by using specific instructional practices. Teachers will learn to use these practices effectively, helping them to optimize intervention time to improve student learning. Their students will be actively engaged in doing math, communicating their ideas, and progressing toward clear learning goals with feedback and support.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Efficacy Evaluation of the Mathematics Intervention Toolkit for the Elementary Grades
NE 5.1.3 MA Supporting Statement B rev.docx
Efficacy Evaluation of the Mathematics Intervention Toolkit for the Elementary Grades