ELM is funded by the Institute of Education Sciences. The goal of ELM is to study of an innovative kindergarten mathematics instructional program designed to improve early numeracy and prevent later math difficulties. This project was implemented in 67 classrooms in Dallas, and impacted the mathematics development of approximately 1,675 students. Data collection on this project ended in spring 2011.

This study examined the efficacy of a kindergarten math curriculum, ELM. The ELM curriculum is a comprehensive mathematics curriculum consisting of 120 lessons providing explicit instruction in (a) number operations, (b) geometry, (c) measurement, and (d) vocabulary. ELM is designed to address the learning needs of all students including at-risk students in the general education or tier 1 classroom setting. The study utilized a randomized block design, with classrooms assigned within schools to treatment and control. Sixty-four kindergarten classrooms stratified by region were randomly assigned within school to treatment (ELM) or control (standard district practices in kindergarten mathematics instruction) conditions. Proximal and distal measures of mathematics achievement were collected at pretest and posttest to measure student achievement.

Relevant Publications

Clarke, B., Smolkowski, K., Baker, S. K., Fien, H. Doabler, C. T., & Chard, D. J. (2011). The impact of a comprehensive tier I core kindergarten program on the achievement of students at risk in mathematics. Elementary School Journal, 111, 561-584.

Ketterlin Geller, K., & Chard, D. J. (2011). Algebra readiness for students with learning difficulties in grades 4-8: Support through the study of number. Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, 16 (1), 65–78.

Relevant Presentations

Chard, D. J. (April, 2011). Development of the Early Grade Mathematics Assessment. Annual meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society. Montreal, Canada.

Chard, D. J. (April, 2011). Development of the Early Grade Mathematics Assessment. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. New Orleans, LA.

Chard, D. J., & Ketterlin-Geller, L. (April, 2011). Research and practice in mathematics education. Invited strand at the International meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children. Washington, DC.

Bryant, D. P., Bryant, B., Karp, K., Chard, D. J., & Ketterlin-Geller, L. (April, 2011). Trends in research, policy, and practice in mathematics education. Panel presentation at the International meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children. Washington, DC.

Chard, D. J. (March, 2011). Developing mathematical proficiency through powerful core and intervention instruction. Paper presented address to the Leadership Summit of the Consortium on Reading Excellence, Burlingame, CA.