Proportional thinking, which requires understanding fractions, ratios, and proportions, is an area of mathematics that is cognitively challenging for many children and adolescents (Fujimura, 2001; Lamon, 2007; Lobato, Ellis, Charles, & Zbiek, 2010; National Mathematics Advisory Panel [NMAP], 2008) and "transcends topical barriers in adult…

This study examined the effects of a schema-based direct instruction strategy on the addition and subtraction word problem solving performance of three third- and fourth-grade students with learning disabilities. An adapted multiple probe across subjects design was used. The intervention involved training students to distinguish…