Study for 6th Grade Math Practice

We are seeking 6th grade teachers who are implementing the EngageNY/Eureka Math curriculum. Teachers will receive free support using a research proven tool and up to $600 in stipends.

Study Pilot Timeline

Application Period
January - February 2023:

Rolling Basis: Participating 6th grade teachers are selected

Rolling Basis (as needed):
Researcher completes district research application

Rolling Basis:
Districts signs Memorandum of Understanding

Implementation
March - April 2023

1x/week: Teachers will assign given Review Assignments to their classes

After each practice assignment,
Teachers will complete a log

Post Study Activities
April - May 2023

Teachers administer post study assessment and other post study activities.

Why join the 6th Grade Math Practice Study?

WestEd, a non-profit education research organization, is partnering with WorcesterPolytechnic Institute (WPI) and ASSISTments to conduct research funded by the U.S.Department of Education. We are looking at learning strategies involving mixed review, a strategy that is known to boost students’ scores on cumulative exams and high stakes tests.We are testing mixed mathematics practice, where you will assign different versions of mathematics problem sets to your classes.


The results of the study will help determine the extent to which this math intervention may have positive beneficial outcomes for student learning mathematics. Additionally, you will receive up to $600 over the course of the study for completing all study activities.

Participation Details

We are currently seeking 6th grade math teachers who use Eureka Math (EngageNY) as their core math curriculum. The pilot study will take place during the Spring of 2023.

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Eligibility

Participating districts and teachers must meet the following criteria:

Teachers are:

  • 6th grade math teachers
  • Willing and able to implement weekly Review Assignments in ASSISTments.
  • Use Google Classroom or Canvas
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Benefits for Participating Teachers
  • Contribute important knowledge about math learning to the field
  • Sixth grade teachers receive free high quality professional learning on an evidence-based tool proven to improve math achievement.
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Compensation

Sixth grade teachers will receive up to $600 over the course of the study for completing all study activities.

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The Experience

Prior to the study, you will review the study requirements and receive training on how to complete all study activities, including implementing the ASSISTments platform (if needed).

Each of your math classes will be randomly assigned to receive either high-mixed practice or low-mixed practice. Regardless of condition, all your classes will complete the exact same math problems just at different times during the school year. The practice problems in both worksheets are aligned to the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

During the study, you will be asked to assign weekly “check-in assignments”, view all relevant reports in the platform, and use the data to plan your next steps. You will also complete biweekly implementation logs. Additionally, you will be asked to complete a pre- and post-study survey, and to administer post-assessments to students.

Finally, you may be asked to participate in a post-study interview. The interview will be audio recorded (The recordings will only be used for research purposes.) WestEd researchers will be available throughout the duration of the study to assist promptly with any questions that may arise.

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Our Partners

This study is generously funded by the US Department of Education. The study is an independent evaluation conducted by WestEd. ASSISTments is a joint project between The ASSISTments Foundation and The ASSISTments Project @ Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Use of ASSISTments During the Study

ASSISTments Teacher is a free, research-based, formative assessment math platform used nationally by over 18,000 teachers and 500,000 students, primarily in grades 3-10.

Benefits:
  • During the 2020-2021 school year, all 7th grade teachers (whether in the delayed-use or immediate-use group) will
  • Receive a stipend of $500 for full participation in research data collection activities 
  • Receive free access to NWEA MAP Growth assessment 
  • Per the above participation timeline, all 6th and 7th grade teachers will be invited to participate in the vPLC and earn an $800 stipend for full participation either during 2021-2022, or 2022-2023
Eligibility criteria: Participating districts and schools must meet the following criteria
  • 7th grade general education teachers are using Eureka/EngageNY, Illustrative Math, or Open Up Resources as their main curriculum, and willing to consistently use ASSISTments to assign from their curriculum.
  • 7th grade students in the school are able to complete internet-based math classwork and homework
  • The school is not already using ASSISTments in 6th grade or 7th grade

We are specifically excited to serve minority, low-income and rural communities.

We’d love for you to join our study.