Initiative Description: The intervention involved 3 phases: a) a baseline phase when students were asked to complete worksheets of 5 mathematics word problems with 15 minutes of math instruction that was provided by the classroom teacher (direct instruction) b) a teacher training phase in which the classroom teacher attended a workshop to learn how to implement teaching strategies to guide students to use when solving math word problems and c) the intervention phase in which the teacher delivered instruction for approximately 15 minutes based on the workshop information to students in the intervention phase. Following the lesson, students completed a 5 problem worksheet during a 15 minute period.

Study Results: The intervention increased on-task behavior and the percentage of problems solved correctly.

Reference: Alter, P., Brown, E. T., & Pyle, J. (2011). A strategy-based intervention to improve math word problem-solving skills of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Education and Treatment of Children,34(4), 535-550.

Level of Evidence: Very Good