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Sunday, April 1, 2007

Effective Programs in Elementary Mathematics: A Best-Evidence Synthesis

I stumbled upon this recent metastudy on elementary math programs by Bob Slavin.

Here is the summary.

Here's the whole thing (DOC). (Link fixed)

There are lots of good observations in it,

  • How few math curricula perform well in research studies,
  • How many bogus post hoc studies are out there,
  • How Bob Slavin shouldn't be doing an objective study involving his own programs, and
  • I caught a mistake involving the CMC study I recently blogged. It was randomized, not post hoc.
I figured I'd release the KTM brain trust on it to pick it apart.
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2 comments:

  1. TurbineGuyApril 1, 2007 at 8:42 PM

    Random notes.

    Authors say that schools that dropped out of Everyday Mathematics study weren't as capable or motivated. Is it possible that they just didn't like the program? p11

    Was there a subtle bias against CMC?

    Ok, definate bias... then again, I am biased to look for bias.

    I wish they had the tables.

    I do agree that improving instruction will provide more of a boost than just switching textbooks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 2, 2007 at 12:08 PM

    "How Bob Slavin shouldn't be doing an objective study involving his own programs"

    Obviously not. What's next, reviewing your own textbook?

    ReplyDelete