WWC Quick Review: Achievement Effects of Four Elementary School Math Curricula

This new quick review looks at a study that examined the relative effectiveness of four early elementary school math curricula: Investigations in Number, Data and Space, Math Expressions, Saxon Math, and Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Mathematics.

http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/quickreviews/QRReport.aspx?QRID=117

Features of the Four Elementary School Math Curricula Examined

TERC/Investigations: student-centered approach focusing on student understanding

ME: blends student-centered and teacher-directed approaches; emphasis on learning through real-world examples

Saxon: teacher-directed approach relying on scripted lessons and daily student practice

SFAW: uses manipulatives and combines teacher-directed instruction with differentiated student activities

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This study was to look at different kinds of materials and/or widely used materials.

Looks like the Everyday Math folks did not want to play.

The results are only through grade 1 so far.

TERC/Investigations and SFAW got hammered.
WOW imagine that looks like John Hattie's Visible Learning effect sizes are right on the money once again. He looked at 800 meta-analyses and could not find anything on the efficacy of differentiated instruction, which is Seattle Superintendent MGJ's favorite.

Has anyone ever defined "Conceptual Understanding" or figured out how to measure it?
TERC/Investigations is supposedly all about this. TERC was at the bottom of the pile at the end of grade 1 in this study.