Effects of Fact Retrieval Tutoring on Third-Grade Students with Math Difficulties with and without Reading Difficulties

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of fact retrieval tutoring as a function of math difficulty (MD) subtype, that is, whether students have MD alone (MD-only) or have concurrent difficulty with math and reading (MDRD). Third graders (n = 139) at two sites were randomly assigned, blocking by site and MD subtype, to four tutoring conditions: fact retrieval practice, conceptual fact retrieval instruction with practice, procedural computation/estimation instruction, and control (no tutoring). Tutoring occurred for 45 sessions over 15weeks for 15–25 minutes per session. Results provided evidence of an interaction between tutoring condition and MD subtype status for assessment of fact retrieval. For MD-only students, students in both fact retrieval conditions achieved comparably and outperformed MD-only students in the control group as well as those in the procedural computation/estimation instruction group. By contrast, for MDRD students, there were no significant differences among intervention conditions.
Authors citation
Powell, S. R., Fuchs, L. S., Fuchs, D., Cirino, P. T., & Fletcher, J. M.
Publication
Learning Disabilities Research & Practice : A Publication of the Division for Learning Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children, 24(1), 1–11
Year of Study
2009
Subject
Math
Program Name
Fast Facts Program
Program Evaluated
Fact Retrieval Tutoring
Tutor Type
Paraprofessional
Duration
15 weeks
Sample size
67
Grade Level(s)
3rd Grade
Student-Tutor Ratio
1
Effect Size
0.15
Study Design
Randomized Controlled Trial
Powell, S. R., Fuchs, L. S., Fuchs, D., Cirino, P. T., & Fletcher, J. M. (2009). Effects of Fact Retrieval Tutoring on Third-Grade Students with Math Difficulties with and without Reading Difficulties. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice : A Publication of the Division for Learning Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children, 24(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5826.2008.01272.x