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

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Do Magnitude Knowledge Gains Mediate the 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 (ORCID 0000-0003-0195-7587), Emily Wilke (ORCID 0009-0003-5985-8490), Keith Smolkowski (ORCID 0000-0003-2565-3297), Ben Clarke
Source: Learning Disabilities Research & Practice. 2025 40(2):112-120.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Contract Number: R324A120304
Document Type: Journal Articles
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
Geographic Terms: Oregon, Massachusetts
DOI: 10.1177/09388982251321536
ISSN: 0938-8982
1540-5826
Abstract: Understanding numerical magnitude is critical to the development of mathematics proficiency. Math interventions targeting magnitude knowledge have been shown to improve outcomes for students with math learning difficulties across grade levels. However, 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.
Abstractor: As Provided
IES Funded: Yes
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1469614
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Understanding numerical magnitude is critical to the development of mathematics proficiency. Math interventions targeting magnitude knowledge have been shown to improve outcomes for students with math learning difficulties across grade levels. However, 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.
ISSN:0938-8982
1540-5826
DOI:10.1177/09388982251321536