Do Magnitude Knowledge Gains Mediate Outcomes of a Kindergarten Mathematics Intervention?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Do Magnitude Knowledge Gains Mediate Outcomes of a Kindergarten Mathematics Intervention?
Language: English
Authors: Taylor Lesner (ORCID 0000-0003-2797-1491), Marah Sutherland (ORCID 0000-0002-6108-8515), Madison Cook, Emily Wilke (ORCID 0009-0003-5985-8490), Keith Smolkowski (ORCID 0000-0003-2565-3297), Ben Clarke (ORCID 0000-0002-1021-1886)
Source: Grantee Submission. 2025.
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 27
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Contract Number: R324A120304
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Descriptors: Kindergarten, Mathematics Education, Knowledge Level, Outcomes of Education, Number Concepts, Numeracy, Intervention, Achievement Gains, Mathematics Achievement, Elementary School Students, Numbers, Student Attitudes
DOI: 10.1177/09388982251321536
Abstract: Understanding numerical magnitude is critical to the development of mathematics proficiency, and math interventions targeting magnitude knowledge have been shown to improve outcomes for students with math learning difficulties across grade levels. While recent studies have found that growth in magnitude knowledge mediates fractions intervention outcomes, similar analyses have not been conducted in the context of early numeracy interventions. This secondary analysis examined whether and to what degree gains in magnitude understanding explained overall intervention gains for kindergarten students (n = 1,251) receiving a validated Tier 2 early math intervention, ROOTS. Results of an indirect-effects mediation analysis were consistent with a partial mediation effect across proximal and distal measures of mathematics proficiency. Findings add to a growing literature base highlighting the importance of magnitude understanding to overall mathematics proficiency in the early grades, and indicate that whole number magnitude understanding may be an "active ingredient" driving early mathematics intervention outcomes. [This paper will be published in "Learning Disabilities Research & Practice."]
Abstractor: As Provided
IES Funded: Yes
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED670981
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Understanding numerical magnitude is critical to the development of mathematics proficiency, and math interventions targeting magnitude knowledge have been shown to improve outcomes for students with math learning difficulties across grade levels. While recent studies have found that growth in magnitude knowledge mediates fractions intervention outcomes, similar analyses have not been conducted in the context of early numeracy interventions. This secondary analysis examined whether and to what degree gains in magnitude understanding explained overall intervention gains for kindergarten students (n = 1,251) receiving a validated Tier 2 early math intervention, ROOTS. Results of an indirect-effects mediation analysis were consistent with a partial mediation effect across proximal and distal measures of mathematics proficiency. Findings add to a growing literature base highlighting the importance of magnitude understanding to overall mathematics proficiency in the early grades, and indicate that whole number magnitude understanding may be an "active ingredient" driving early mathematics intervention outcomes. [This paper will be published in "Learning Disabilities Research & Practice."]
DOI:10.1177/09388982251321536