3-Tier Mathematics Model

Principal Investigator

Diane P. Bryant

Other Investigators

Brian R. Bryant

Funding Agency

Texas Education Agency

Background

Response to intervention (RTI) has been recommended by the U.S. Department of Education as a promising technique for preventing early learning problems. In recent years, RTI research and implementation programs have been conducted in early reading across Texas. More recently, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has funded the development of the 3-Tier Mathematics Model for kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2—an RTI-related early mathematics project—through the Vaughn Gross Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

Description of the Project

The purpose of the 3-Tier Mathematics Model is twofold.

First, the project focuses on developing and ensuring the technical adequacy (reliability and validity) of assessment measures for early identification of struggling students and for monitoring progress in early mathematics instruction. The 3-Tier Mathematics Model project has included the creation and field-testing of early mathematics assessment instruments, the Texas Early Mathematics Inventories—Progress Monitoring (TEMI-PM) and the Texas Early Mathematics Inventories—Outcome (TEMI-O), for kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2. These measures were validated in a statewide assessment scale-up project in more than 90 schools in Texas during the 2007–2008 academic year.

Second, the project focuses on the development and validation of intervention booster lessons for at-risk students in kindergarten through second grade. Booster lessons to support Tier II secondary intervention have been developed and field-tested for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade.

Intervention Scale-Up

After field-testing the booster lessons in five Texas school districts, the project is preparing for an intervention scale-up in 20 schools statewide during the 2008–2009 academic year. The purpose of the intervention scale-up is to work with teachers on the implementation of Tier II mathematics intervention, including assessment, intervention, and progress monitoring. In each of the 20 schools, one teacher from K–2 will be selected to participate in the project. Training and intervention booklets will be included in the project. After 5/7/08, you can click the web cast link to hear more information.

Statewide Mathematics Assessment Project for Bilingual (Spanish) Students

After field-testing the TEMI-PM and TEMI-O in several Texas school districts, the project is preparing for a statewide standardization in 2008–2009. The Three-Tier Mathematics Model project will provide principals and teachers with information on how their students are performing on the K–2 mathematics TEKS.

We need to identify bilingual classes statewide to participate in the standardization scale-up. Click the assessment announcement box at the top of this page to access the Questions & Answers and registration pages for this project.

Population/Participants

Kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students and their teachers.

2007–2008 ISD Intervention Field-Test Sites

Pflugerville ISD (Delco Primary, Wieland Elementary, Windermere Primary)
Lubbock-Cooper ISD (North Elementary)
Copperas Cove ISD (Martin Walker Elementary)
LaPorte ISD (LaPorte Elementary)
Del Valle ISD (Popham Elementary)