The Effect of Connected Mathematics on Student Achievement In

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The Effect of Connected Mathematics on Student Achievement In THE EFFECT OF CONNECTED MATHEMATICS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN SELECTED MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES Ruth Gharst Waggoner B.A., Mid America Nazarene University, 1981 M.S., University of Kansas, 1991 Submitted to the Graduate Department and Faculty of the School of Education of Baker University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership May 6, 2009 Copyright 2009 by Ruth Gharst Waggoner Clinical Research Study Committee ___________________________________________________________ Major Advisor ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Defended May 6, 2009 ii Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Connected Mathematics Project on the mathematics achievement of sixth and seventh grade students in the Olathe School District. The design of this study was an experimental, control group. The treatment variable was the type of mathematics instruction taught in the classroom. Students in the control group received mathematics instruction in a traditional, lecture‐ based setting. The treatment for the experimental group was mathematics instruction using CMP. The study focused on 357 seventh grade students at 5 participating junior high schools. The researcher analyzed scores from a sample of students (n=119) who received two years of mathematics instruction using CMP, a sample of students (n=119) who received one year of mathematics instruction using CMP, and a sample of students (n=119) who received no mathematics instruction using CMP. The study also examined the effects of CMP on students qualifying for special education services and students of low SES. The dependent variable, mathematics achievement, was measured using scores obtained from the 2008 seventh grade Kansas Mathematics Assessment. Additional analyses were conducted on the fifteen mathematics indicators on the seventh grade KMA test. The results of the data analysis showed that while the mean score of students receiving mathematics instruction using CMP were higher than the mean scores of students not receiving mathematics instruction using CMP, the differences were not iii statistically significant at the .05 level. The results also showed the main effect of mathematics instruction on students qualifying for special education services or students of low SES was not statistically significant. However, there were statistically significant differences indicated on mean scores of four of the fifteen seventh grade tested indicators between students with CMP instruction and those with no CMP instruction. iv Dedication This is dedicated to my mother, Dr. Bonnie Gleason, to whom I owe a lifetime of gratitude. You have been my mentor, model and inspiration. Even more, you have always been my friend. If I can be half the teacher and leader you have been, I’ll be content. I hope I have made you proud. v Acknowledgements The support, encouragement and sometimes nudging from advisors, family, and friends have made the completion of this journey possible. There are many to whom I owe a sincere debt of gratitude. First of all, a special appreciation is extended to Dr. Harold Frye, my major advisor, for his assistance, support, and guidance throughout this process. Dr. Frye kept me on track and focused. Without his gentle prodding, I might still be contemplating contents of Chapter One. A warm and heartfelt appreciation is also offered to my doctoral committee: Dr. Ann Sanders, Dr. Randy Pembrook, and Dr. Cathy Donovan. Your guidance and service on my committee were greatly appreciated. Thank you to Peg Waterman for her assistance in planning the methodology and interpreting the results. Her guidance was invaluable. A big thank you goes to my husband, Randy, for surviving this pursuit. “Mr. Mom” showed a great amount of patience and assistance. He sacrificed time and attention to allow me to follow this dream. I also want to thank Sammy and Alex for smiles and hugs throughout the last two years. And, yes Sammy, the dining room table will finally be clean, so you may eat there again. vi Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ............................................................................................................................ v Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................................... vii List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE ............................................................. 1 Background and Conceptual Framework .................................................................... 3 Problem Statement ..................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of the Study .................................................................................................. 7 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ............................................................................................................... 9 Assumptions ................................................................................................................ 9 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 10 Definition of Terms .................................................................................................... 10 Overview of the Methodology .................................................................................. 12 Organization of Study ................................................................................................ 14 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ......................................................................... 16 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 16 History of Mathematics in the Twentieth Century ................................................... 18 Reform Mathematics ................................................................................................. 23 Connected Mathematics Project ............................................................................... 36 Mathematics Education for Students of Low SES ..................................................... 47 Mathematics Education for Students with Disabilities ............................................. 50 Summary .................................................................................................................... 54 CHAPTER THREE: METHODS ............................................................................................ 55 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 55 Research Design ........................................................................................................ 55 vii Population and Sample.............................................................................................. 56 Sampling Procedures ................................................................................................. 58 Instrumentation ......................................................................................................... 59 Validity ....................................................................................................................... 61 Data Collection Procedures ....................................................................................... 63 Research Questions and Hypothesis ......................................................................... 65 Data Collection and Statistical Analysis ..................................................................... 67 Limitations ................................................................................................................. 67 Summary .................................................................................................................... 67 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ................................................................................................ 69 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 69 Hypothesis Testing .................................................................................................... 70 Additional Analyses ................................................................................................... 78 Summary .................................................................................................................. 102 CHAPTER FIVE: INTERPRETATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................... 105 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 105 Study Summary ........................................................................................................ 105 Overview of the Problem .......................................................................................
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