ERIC Number: ED590002
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Oct
Pages: 42
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Modularized, Computer-Assisted, Self-Paced Approach to Developmental Math. MDRC Working Paper
Weiss, Michael J.; Headlam, Camielle
MDRC
Community colleges are a large sector of postsecondary education. In 2016-2017, the United States had nearly 1,000 public 2-year postsecondary institutions (community colleges), serving almost nine million students, representing 39% of all undergraduates. The majority of entering community college students require developmental (or remedial) math. Success rates in the developmental math course sequence and college more broadly are discouragingly low. Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers alike are eagerly searching for reforms to improve success rates, but there is a dearth of causal evidence on the effectiveness of most proposed reforms. We sought to answer the following question: What effect does a modularized, computer-assisted, self-paced approach to developmental math (compared with a more "traditional" direct-instruction course alternative) have on students' likelihood of completing the developmental math course sequence? Findings from a randomized controlled trial (n = 1,403) are presented. The program was well implemented; however, we did not find evidence that this approach was superior to the "traditional" math class. Although these results are disappointing, they are important because modularization and self-paced computer-assisted instruction are popular reforms.
Descriptors: Randomized Controlled Trials, Computer Assisted Instruction, Pacing, Remedial Mathematics, Developmental Studies Programs, Community Colleges, Two Year College Students, Outcomes of Education, Mathematics Achievement, Conventional Instruction, Comparative Analysis, Instructional Effectiveness, Program Implementation, Program Effectiveness
MDRC. 16 East 34th Street 19th Floor, New York, NY 10016-4326. Tel: 212-532-3200; Fax: 212-684-0832; e-mail: publications@mdrc.org; Web site: http://www.mdrc.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: MDRC
Identifiers - Location: Texas
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A130125
Author Affiliations: N/A