Mathematics learning disabilities (MLD) affect 5-9% of the school-age population, leading to life-long difficulties that create financial burdens and a public health problem for society. Calculations and word problems are critical aspects of math competence beginning early and extending through adulthood. However, early calculations and word-problem skills may also be important precursors to the development of algebraic cognition, an aspect of math competence critical for later school success. The major distinction between calculations and word problems is the addition of linguistic information that requires children to construct a problem model. This seems to alter the nature of the task, and causal-comparative and correlational studies suggest that the abilities underlying these domains may differ. This raises the possibility that difficulty in these domains may be distinct;that different screening measures may be required to forecast difficulty in these domains;that intervention conducted in one domain may not transfer to the other;and that intervention in these domains may contribute differentially to students'ability to learn algebra. In this project, the PIs recruit a large, representative sample of 2nd graders for whom they collect data on child characteristics (demographics, attention, cognitive dimensions, numerosity, reading). They randomly assign 2nd-grade classrooms to control vs. RTI calculations instruction vs. RTI word-problem instruction. RTI instruction refers to 2 tiers of research-principled instruction: classroom instruction and, as needed, small group tutoring. The PIs follow students through grade 4. At the end of grade 2, in each RTI condition, the PIs form, compare, and then follow 3 subgroups: typically-developing students, initially low-performing students who respond, and initially low-performing students who do not respond. The PIs will investigate (1) the short- and long-term efficacy of 2nd-grade RTI calculations or word-problem instruction on calculation, word-problem, and basic algebraic outcomes, assessing transfer across domains;(2) the prevalence and diagnostic stability of calculations MLD (CA-MLD) and word-problem MLD (WP-MLD) as a function of instructional condition and, within RTI condition, as a function of response to research-principled instruction;(3) child characteristics associated with development of calculations, word-problem, and algebraic skill and with CA-MLD and WPMLD;(4) child characteristics that distinguish typically developing students, initially low-performers who respond to research-principled instruction, and initially low-performers who fail to respond to research-principled instruction;and (5) how child characteristics interact with instructional condition to affect short and long-term calculations, word problems, and algebra outcomes. The PIs will assess the prevalence, child characteristics, and math profiles of MLD after eliminating inadequate instruction as the explanation for low math performance. Findings will have important implications for understanding, identifying, preventing, and treating MLD.

Public Health Relevance

Mathematics learning disabilities (MLD) affects 5-9% of the school-age population, leading to life-long difficulty that create financial burdens and a public health problem for society. We assess the prevalence, child characteristics, and math profiles of MLD after eliminating inadequate instruction as the explanation for low math performance. Findings have important implications for understanding, identifying, preventing, and treating MLD.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD059179-05
Application #
8399096
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHD1-RRG-K (05))
Program Officer
Mann Koepke, Kathy M
Project Start
2008-12-01
Project End
2014-11-30
Budget Start
2012-12-01
Budget End
2014-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$449,001
Indirect Cost
$128,225
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Education
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Matthews, Percival G; Fuchs, Lynn S (2018) Keys to the Gate? Equal Sign Knowledge at Second Grade Predicts Fourth-Grade Algebra Competence. Child Dev :
Child, Amanda E; Cirino, Paul T; Fletcher, Jack M et al. (2018) A Cognitive Dimensional Approach to Understanding Shared and Unique Contributions to Reading, Math, and Attention Skills. J Learn Disabil :22219418775115
Rhodes, Katherine T; Branum-Martin, Lee; Washington, Julie A et al. (2017) Measuring arithmetic: A psychometric approach to understanding formatting effects and domain specificity. J Educ Psychol 109:956-976
Wang, Amber Y; Fuchs, Lynn S; Fuchs, Douglas (2016) Cognitive and Linguistic Predictors of Mathematical Word Problems With and Without Irrelevant Information. Learn Individ Differ 52:79-87
Cirino, Paul T; Fuchs, Lynn S; Elias, John T et al. (2015) Cognitive and mathematical profiles for different forms of learning difficulties. J Learn Disabil 48:156-75
Powell, Sarah R; Fuchs, Lynn S; Cirino, Paul T et al. (2015) Effects of a Multitier Support System on Calculation, Word Problem, and Prealgebraic Performance Among At-Risk Learners. Except Child 81:443-470
Powell, Sarah R; Fuchs, Lynn S (2014) Does Early Algebraic Reasoning Differ as a Function of Students' Difficulty with Calculations versus Word Problems? Learn Disabil Res Pract 29:106-116
Fuchs, Lynn S; Powell, Sarah R; Cirino, Paul T et al. (2014) Does Calculation or Word-Problem Instruction Provide A Stronger Route to Pre-Algebraic Knowledge? J Educ Psychol 106:990-1006
Fuchs, Lynn S; Fuchs, Douglas; Compton, Donald L (2013) Intervention effects for students with comorbid forms of learning disability: understanding the needs of nonresponders. J Learn Disabil 46:534-48
Fuchs, Lynn S; Compton, Donald L; Fuchs, Douglas et al. (2012) Contributions of domain-general cognitive resources and different forms of arithmetic development to pre-algebraic knowledge. Dev Psychol 48:1315-26

Showing the most recent 10 out of 18 publications