Math Programs Seen to Lack a Research Base

Washington

Most of the off-the-shelf mathematics programs used in middle schools across the country have little or no rigorous evidence attesting to their effectiveness, concludes a federal research review released last week.

The U.S. Department of Education analysis was based on a review of studies undergirding 44 math programs used in grades 6-9, including some of the nation’s most popular textbooks for those grade levels.

The researchers found only five that had a research record strong enough to meet their standards. Of those, just two—a pair of computer-based algebra programs called I CAN Learn Mathematics and Cognitive Tutor—had studies showing that students actually learned more with their programs...