This study used a mixed-methods design to examine teachers' responses to professional learning on mathematics differentiation. Grade 3 classroom teachers (N = 28) attended four 2-h professional learning sessions and an additional 2 h individually on differentiation and completed pre- and post-surveys with quantitative and short response items…

Kindergartners' math skills predict later academic outcomes. However, we know little about kindergarten mathematics instruction. Using data from 182 classroom observations in a large urban district, we explore time spent on mathematics and math content coverage. We also examine two underinvestigated aspects of kindergarten math instruction: (1)…

Although basing instruction on a learning trajectory (LT) is often recommended, there is little evidence regarding the premise of a LT approach--that to be maximally meaningful, engaging, and effective, instruction is best presented one LT level beyond a child's present level of thinking. This hypothesis was evaluated for an empirically-validated…

Although basing instruction on a learning trajectory (LT) is often recommended, there is little evidence regarding a premise of a LT approach--that to be maximally meaningful, engaging, and effective, instruction is best presented 1 LT level beyond a child's present level of thinking. We evaluated this hypothesis using an empirically validated LT…

While coaching is a well-documented form of professional development to support teachers' instructional practices in mathematics, limited research exists on how coaches can support teachers in differentiating their mathematics instruction. Hence, as part of this retrospective case study, we explored how one instructional coach leveraged a coaching…

This study investigates whether using My Math Academy, which provides personalized content and adaptive embedded assessments to support existing curricula, can improve learning outcomes and engagement for kindergarten and first grade students (N = 505 treatment, 481 control). Findings indicate that students using My Math Academy made significant…

This dissertation explores the strategies of personalized learning through AI and its effectiveness, with a focus on third-grade mathematics education. The primary objective is to investigate how AI tools can tailor learning experiences to individual needs, particularly for students who struggle academically, and thereby help reduce educational…

This study explores opportunity to learn (OTL) during mathematics activities for a nine-year-old student girl with difficulty in mathematics. We conducted a teaching experiment comprising 15 instructional sessions. To better understand the student's OTL, our qualitative analysis focused on how she student demonstrated self-regulation in response…

The sustaining environments hypothesis theorizes that the lasting effects of PreK programs are contingent on the quality of the subsequent learning environment in early elementary school. The current study tests this theory by leveraging data from students (N = 462) who did and did not enroll in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) prekindergarten…

The sustaining environments hypothesis theorizes that the lasting effects of PreK programs are contingent on the quality of the subsequent learning environment in early elementary school. The current study tests this theory by leveraging data from students (N = 462) who did and did not enroll in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) prekindergarten…

Teachers must meet a variety of students' mathematics learning needs but are often not trained to do so. Little is known about how teachers perceive their efficacy to meet diverse math learning needs. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to explore teacher attitudes and perceptions of professional development (PD) and…

The author presented a math task asking all his 3rd graders to find ways to count seven sets of eight donuts, arranged in grids of two-by-four. He hoped this task would lead students toward fluency in single-digit multiplication, albeit in a manner that was inherently personalized learning, with students choosing their own methods to reach an…

A quasi-experimental design in six kindergarten classrooms (n = 123 students) was used to study the effects of the KinderTEK iPad-based math program on the math achievement of students in general education classrooms. Student math outcomes in three treatment ("early start") classrooms were compared to math outcomes for students in three…

In this book from bestselling author Dr. Nicki Newton, you'll learn how to level math workstations to engage K-2 students in meaningful, purposeful, rigorous practice. We know students don't learn at the same pace, so how do we take into account where they are and differentiate instruction? Dr. Nicki has the answers, showing how leveled…

It is known that a significant portion of the world's child population is gifted. Studies on the applications that can be used in the education of these gifted students have been given importance in recent years. In this study, the effect of differentiated instruction method on mathematics problem solving attitude and critical thinking skills of…