ERIC Number: ED558157
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jun
Pages: 38
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Effects of the Elevate Math Summer Program on Math Achievement and Algebra Readiness. REL 2015-096
Snipes, Jason; Huang, Chun-Wei; Jaquet, Karina; Finkelstein, Neal
Regional Educational Laboratory West
The Effects of the Elevate Math summer program on math achievement and algebra readiness: This randomized trial examined the effects of the Elevate Math summer program on math achievement and algebra readiness, as well as math interest and self-efficacy, among rising 8th grade students in California's Silicon Valley. The Elevate Math summer math program targets students who score in the range between "high basic" and "low proficient" on state math tests. It consists of 19 days of mathematics instruction, consisting of three hours per day in traditional classroom instruction and one hour per day using Khan Academy (a free online learning system). During summer 2014, students were randomly assigned to a treatment group that received access to the program at the beginning of the summer or to a control group that received access to the program later in the summer. End-of-program test scores and survey responses of students in the treatment group were compared with those of students in the control group prior to their exposure to the program. Treatment group students scored significantly higher than the control group (4 points or 0.7 standard deviation) on a test of algebra readiness. They were also significantly more likely (29 percent versus 12 percent) to reach achievement thresholds associated with success in algebra I. However, treatment and control groups did not show significant differences in terms of math interest or self-efficacy. The results show that the Elevate Math summer program can significantly improve student math achievement and algebra readiness; however, 70 percent of program participants were still not ready for algebra I content. This suggests that summer math programs such as Elevate Math's may be important tools for improving math achievement among rising eighth grade students, but most targeted students will need additional support in order to ensure success in algebra. The following are appended: (1) Data, outcomes, and methodology; and (2) Sensitivity analyses.
Descriptors: Summer Programs, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Achievement, Readiness, Algebra, Comparative Analysis, Experimental Groups, Control Groups, Scores, Tests, Surveys, Program Effectiveness, Grade 8, Grade 7, State Standards, Program Evaluation, Self Efficacy, Student Interests, Student Surveys, Mathematical Concepts
Regional Educational Laboratory West. Available from: Institute of Education Sciences. 555 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20208. Tel: 800-872-5327; Web site: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 8; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Grade 7
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Regional Educational Laboratory West (ED); National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (ED); WestEd
Identifiers - Location: California
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: EDIES12C0002
What Works Clearinghouse Reviewed: Meets Evidence Standards without Reservations
WWC Study Page: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Study/88782
IES Cited: ED559739
IES Publication: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/projects/project.asp?ProjectID=439