3rd Grade Mathematics Study 2024-2025
We are seeking 3rd-grade teachers to pilot digital problem solving tools aligned with Illustrative Mathematics or the Open Up Resources curriculum. Participating teachers will receive exclusive access to these tools and a stipend up to $500.
Study Timeline
May - August 2024
Sign-up is available for 3rd grade teachers.
Research team will contact interested teachers about next steps.
September 2024 - January 2025
Participating teachers attend virtual training webinar + assign student pre-test in September.
Teachers will assign problems from Illustrative Mathematics or Open Up Resources. Classrooms will gain access to the problem-solving tools either during the fall or spring semester.
Teachers attend 3 additional workshops.
January 2025
Teachers administer study assessments to students and complete a survey.
Teachers may be invited to participate in a brief interview about their experiences.
Teachers will receive a stipend after completing the study activities.
Why join the 3rd Grade Mathematics Study?
Mathematical problem-solving is at the heart of effective mathematics learning, yet it is an extremely complex topic for students and teachers. Digital problem-solving tools can help students model and justify their thinking. These virtual manipulatives offer advantages such as precision and clarity, speed of manipulation, and easy revision. Teachers can quickly gain insight into children’s mathematical thinking, which can then support rich conversations about their mathematical ideas.
Participation Details
We are currently seeking 3rd-grade mathematics teachers who use Illustrative Mathematics or Open Up Resources Curriculum. The study will take place during the 2024-2025 school year.
Participating districts and teachers must meet the following criteria:
- Contribute important knowledge about math learning to the field.
- Receive free, high-quality professional learning on an evidence-based tool (ASSISTments) shown to improve math achievement.
- 3rd grade teachers will receive up to $500 for completing study activities.
Participating teachers will:
- Attend a series of 4 professional learning workshops (virtual, 60 min each).
- Assign problem sets via ASSISTments that correspond with their Illustrative Mathematics or Open Up Resources units of study.
- Complete a pre-and-post study questionnaire and an interview at the end.
- Receive a stipend of up to $500.
- Continue to receive free access to the tools during the 2025-26 school year.
Students will:
- Complete a pre- and post-math assessment.
- Complete the assigned problem sets.
Use of ASSISTments During the Study
ASSISTments Teacher is a free, research-based, formative assessment math platform where students get immediate feedback and teachers get reports highlighting student misconceptions and patterns of success and struggle. ASSISTments Teacher is used nationally by over 18,000 teachers and 500,000 students, primarily in grades 3-10.
- Select and assign problems online in ASSISTments
- Have students complete their assignments. They receive immediate feedback on the correctness of their response, and multiple attempts to get it right
- Review the assignment report. The actionable data insights, including common wrong answers, help teachers monitor student progress and plan future lessons.
- Share class data with students to support their own reflection and growth, and engage in math discussions.
Please note: schools can participate no matter what modality of teaching they are using, remote, face-to-face or hybrid learning model.
Our Partners
Worcester Polytechnic Institute will study the implementation, engagement, and effectiveness of ASSISTments + Teachley
This project is made possible with the support of the National Institutes Of Health (Award Number: 5R44GM146483-03).
We’d love for you to join our study.
We welcome applications and interest forms from teachers, school or district administrators.
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Still using our legacy version? Click HereASSISTments is a free public service operated jointly by Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the ASSISTments Foundation.
The ASSISTments Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute created in 2019.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a 501(c)(3) non profit created in 1865.
The ASSISTments Project work at WPI is led by Professor Neil Heffernan.
The ASSISTments Foundation is led by Cristina Heffernan.