ERIC Number: ED570278
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Role of Cognitive Processes, Foundational Math Skill, and Calculation Accuracy and Fluency in Word-Problem Solving versus Prealgebraic Knowledge
Fuchs, Lynn S.; Gilbert, Jennifer K.; Powell, Sarah R.; Cirino, Paul T.; Fuchs, Douglas; Hamlett, Carol L.; Seethaler, Pamela M.; Tolar, Tammy D.
Grantee Submission, Developmental Psychology 2016
The purpose of this study was to examine child-level pathways in development of prealgebraic knowledge versus word-problem solving, while evaluating the contribution of calculation accuracy and fluency as mediators of foundational skills/processes. Children (n = 962; mean 7.60 years) were assessed on general cognitive processes and early calculation, word-problem, and number knowledge at start of Grade 2; calculation accuracy and calculation fluency at end of Grade 2; and prealgebraic knowledge and word-problem solving at end of Grade 4. Important similarities in pathways were identified, but path analysis also indicated that language comprehension is more critical for later word-problem solving than prealgebraic knowledge. We conclude that pathways in development of these forms of 4th-grade mathematics performance are more alike than different, but demonstrate the need to fine-tune instruction for strands of the mathematics curriculum in ways that address individual students' foundational mathematics skills or cognitive processes. [At time of submission to ERIC this article was in press with "Developmental Psychology."]
Descriptors: Knowledge Level, Mathematics Skills, Word Problems (Mathematics), Problem Solving, Computation, Cognitive Processes, Numeracy, Grade 2, Elementary School Students, Grade 4, Path Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Algebra, Elementary School Mathematics, Hypothesis Testing, Achievement Tests, Diagnostic Tests, Reading Tests, Standardized Tests, Intelligence Tests
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 2; Primary Education; Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED); Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Iowa Tests of Basic Skills; Wechsler Intelligence Scales Short Forms; Wide Range Achievement Test; Woodcock Diagnostic Reading Battery; Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A110067; R01HD053714; R24HD075443; HD15052