WestEd, in partnership with The ASSISTments Foundation and Teaching Lab, is studying how ASSISTments4AR (A4AR) can help pave a path of success by closing the achievement gap and help middle school students get ready for algebra. Algebra I is one of the most important on-track indicators for college and career readiness. Previous research on ASSISTments, high-quality curriculum, and high-quality professional learning (PL)/coaching have all independently demonstrated significant impacts for student learning. The A4AR Project will combine multiple evidence-based interventions to improve middle school math achievement.
- 6th & 7th grade math teachers and coaches
- Districts/schools that use Illustrative Math or Eureka Math
- 2025-26 school year
Schools will be randomly assigned to the Treatment (A4AR) or Control (Business-as-Usual) group. WestEd will request demographic and outcome data to understand the impact of the A4AR model on student math learning.
Treatment group teachers and coaches will:
- Participate in initial Teaching Lab PL bootcamp and ASSISTments training
- Participate in year-long PL and coaching
- Use the ASSISTments progrma as part of typical math instruction (teachers only)
- Business-as-Usual group teacher will also receive access to A4AR and PL after the study is completed.
All participating 6th & 7th grade teachers will:
- Complete surveys and logs
- Administer student pre/post-match assessments
- Participate in interviews and observations (select teachers and coaches)
- Teachers may benefit from using the ASSISTments program and receiving ongoing PL and coaching to support math teaching and student learning.
- Coaches may benefit from ongoing PL and supports to better support teachers to provide data-informed instruction.
- There is no cost to participate.
- Participating teachers will receive up to $600 and coaches $200 stipends for completing research activities.
- Mathematics
- Professional Learning
- Grades 6–8
- Federal Agency
- Fall 2025
- 12–24 months