Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2007
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Patricia H. Grimes Smith
Committee Member
Anne Joslin
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
Algebra/Mathematics Achievement/Middle School Students/ Mathematics Instruction/Prealgebra
Abstract
This applied dissertation study was designed to increase the mathematics knowledge and improve the readiness of 309 Grade 8 prealgebra students for algebra in Grade 9. The goal was to decrease the number of Grade 9 students failing Algebra I at the local, public high school that the majority of participating students attend. The percentage of Grade 8 students meeting or exceeding mathematics standards on the 2005 Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) was lower than the state average. In addition, the local, public high school’s End-of-Course Test results in Algebra I showed that only 52% of 556 Grade 9 students met or exceeded state standards in 2005.
The researcher designed and developed a staff development program in an effort to improve mathematics instruction of participating teachers. Research addressed effective instructional strategies, described a school improvement effort that improved student performance, and noted algebra readiness indicators developed by the Southern Regional Education Board. Research-based strategies shown to be successful in previous studies played a major role in the design of the methodology. The following instructional strategies were incorporated: cooperative learning, simulation and games, peer tutoring, direct instruction, critical thinking activities, and the use of manipulatives.
As a result, 72% of participating students met or exceeded state standards in mathematics on the 2006 CRCT, compared to only 52% meeting or exceeding standards in 2005. Students’ scores improved from pretest to posttest on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test; 18% of Grade 8 students obtained a 46 (out of 63) on the pretest, compared to 50% meeting this benchmark on the posttest.
NSUWorks Citation
Julia Mitcham Daniely. 2007. Preparing Eighth-Grade Students for Algebra in the Ninth Grade. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (917)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/917.