Classwide Fraction Intervention for Math Learning Disability

Overseen By Lynn Fuchs, Ph.D.

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University

Disqualifiers: Intellectual disability

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 40

Duration: 20 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to evaluate how a special fraction teaching method, called Classwide Fraction Intervention (CFI), affects fourth-graders' understanding of fractions. It includes students who may struggle with math as well as those who do not, comparing regular math classes with those incorporating CFI. The intervention occurs twice a week over 20 weeks. Students in fourth-grade classes with participating teachers at specific schools in Nashville are eligible candidates. As an unphased study, this trial provides a unique opportunity for students to enhance their math skills through innovative teaching methods.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this classwide fraction intervention is safe for fourth-grade students?

Research shows that the Classwide Fraction Intervention (CFI) helps students better understand fractions, focusing on their size and how to work with them. The studies reviewed do not provide specific safety information about CFI. However, as a teaching method rather than a medical treatment, it does not involve typical safety concerns like side effects associated with medicines. The program includes classroom activities designed to help all students, including those who find math challenging, improve their math skills. Teachers lead these sessions in an organized manner, twice a week for 20 weeks, as part of regular math lessons. This method is generally considered safe for students, as it aims to boost learning without health risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Classwide Fraction Intervention because it offers a targeted approach to help students with math learning disabilities, specifically in understanding fractions. Unlike typical math programs that cover a broad range of topics, this intervention focuses intensively on fraction magnitude and operations through 40 structured sessions. This focus could lead to a deeper and more intuitive grasp of fractions, which is often a challenging area for many students. By providing explicit instruction in a classwide setting, it might also foster collaborative learning and peer support, which are not emphasized in standard curricula.

What evidence suggests that the Classwide Fraction Intervention is effective for improving fraction knowledge in fourth-grade students?

Research has shown that the Classwide Fraction Intervention (CFI), which participants in this trial may receive, can significantly enhance students' understanding of fractions. One study found that organized methods, such as memory aids, helped students—especially those with math learning disabilities (MLD)—improve in adding and subtracting fractions. Another study demonstrated that CFI enhanced fraction knowledge for both MLD students and their classmates without these difficulties. Additionally, a program focusing on fraction concepts positively affected students with special educational needs, boosting their understanding and skills. These findings suggest that CFI can effectively improve math results, making it a promising method for fourth graders who struggle with fractions. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lynn Fuchs, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for 4th-grade students with and without math learning difficulties (MLD) in Metropolitan-Nashville Public Schools where the principal and teacher have agreed to participate. Students with identified intellectual disabilities are excluded as CFI isn't suitable for them.

Inclusion Criteria

To enter the study, students must attend a Metropolitan-Nashville Public School whose principal has given permission for his/her school to participate and participate in a fourth-grade classroom whose teacher has agreed to let her/his students participate.

Exclusion Criteria

We exclude students with identified intellectual disability from study data collection because CFI is not designed to meet the needs of this population. There are no other exclusions.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Pre-intervention Testing

Students complete pre-intervention testing to assess baseline fraction knowledge

3 weeks

Treatment

Classwide Fraction Intervention (CFI) is implemented 2 times per week for 20 weeks

20 weeks

40 sessions (in-person)

Post-intervention Testing

Students complete post-intervention testing to assess changes in fraction knowledge

3 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in academic progress and fraction knowledge

6 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Classwide Fraction Intervention

Trial Overview The study compares two teaching conditions: one includes a Classwide Fraction Intervention (CFI) twice a week for 20 weeks during regular math classes, while the other follows the standard math program without CFI. The impact on students' fraction knowledge is assessed before and after.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: CFI - Classwide Fraction Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

40 sessions (2 sessions per week; 25-31 minutes per session) of explicit fraction intervention designed to improve students understanding of fraction magnitude and fraction operations.

Group II: Control - Business-As-Usual Active Control 1 Intervention

Involves participation in the schools' typical math program

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

714

Recruited

6,143,000+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-8-2021-58291

Classwide Fraction Intervention for Math Learning Disability The study on SRSD Fractions shows that using structured strategies like mnemonics can help students with disabilities improve their ability to add and subtract ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04878757

Implementing Inclusive Fraction Intervention Classwide The main purpose of this study is to assess effects of a previously validated fraction intervention when it is conducted classwide on the fraction knowledge ...

3. ies.ed.gov ies.ed.gov/use-work/awards/implementing-fraction-intervention-classwide-address-mathematics-learning-disabilities-inclusive

Implementing Fraction Intervention Classwide to Address ... Researchers will test the efficacy of the intervention on improving mathematics outcomes for MLD students and non-MLD classmates. They will explore whether ...

4. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00313831.2025.2552232

Effects of a fraction intervention for students with special ... This study investigated the effects of a fraction concept understanding intervention with six fifth-grade students with special educational needs in ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022096524000948

Exploring the impact of a fraction sense intervention in ... Improving fraction understanding in sixth graders with mathematics difficulties: Effects of a number line approach combined with cognitive learning strategies ...

6. files.eric.ed.gov files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED569131.pdf

Fraction Intervention for Students with Mathematics Difficulties The purpose of the present article is to provide an overview of results from a series of five randomized control trials (RCTs) examining the effects of a ...

7. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00313831.2023.2228818

The effects of a whole-class mathematics intervention on ... The intervention aimed to enhance students' conceptual fraction knowledge, with a major focus on fraction magnitude understanding.

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/9/1234

Examining Fraction Performance and Learning Trajectories ... This study focuses on how a game-enhanced, whole-class mathematics intervention influences the fraction performance and conceptual development of students with ...