Sarah Powell

Research Interests and Expertise

Developing and testing interventions for students with mathematics difficulties

Research Projects and Grants

Developing Connections Between Word Problems and Mathematical Equations to Promote Word-Problem Performance Among Students With Mathematics Difficulty, Institute of Education Sciences, 2015–2019
Understanding the Influence of Math Symbols and Vocabulary on Math Performance, National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2014–2016
Investigating the Effects of Algebra and Rational Numbers Performance on Postsecondary Preparation, Access, and Persistence for Students With and Without Mathematics Difficulty, Greater Texas Foundation Faculty Fellowship, 2014–2017

Review Boards

Journal of Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities Research and Practice
Learning Disability Quarterly
Teaching Exceptional Children

Recent Awards

Early Career Publication Award, Division for Research, Council for Exceptional Children, 2011
Dissertation Award, Division for Learning Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children, 2010
Outstanding Researcher Award (Dissertation Award), Council for Learning Disabilities, 2009

Representative Publications

Powell, S. R., Driver, M. K., & Julian, T. E. (2015). The effect of tutoring with nonstandard equations on the mathematics performance of second-grade students with mathematics difficulty. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 48, 523–534. doi:10.1177/0022219413512613

Powell, S. R., Fuchs, L. S., Cirino, P. T., Fuchs, D., Compton, D. L., & Changas, P. C. (2015). Effects of a multitier support system on calculation, word problem, and prealgebraic learning among at-risk learners. Exceptional Children, 81, 443–470. doi:10.1177/0014402914563702

Powell, S. R., & Nurnberger-Haag, J. (2015). Everybody counts, but usually just to 10! A systematic analysis of number representations in children’s books. Early Education and Development, 26, 377–398. doi:10.1080/10409289.2015.994466

Powell, S. R., & Fuchs, L. S. (2014). Does early algebraic reasoning differ as a function of students’ difficulty with calculations versus word problems? Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 29, 106–116. doi:10.1111/ldrp.12037

Powell, S. R., & Stecker, P. M. (2014). Using data-based individualization to intensify mathematics intervention for students with disabilities. Teaching Exceptional Children, 46(4), 31–37. doi:10.1177/0040059914523735

Powell, S. R., Fuchs, L. S., & Fuchs, D. (2013). Reaching the mountaintop: Addressing the Common Core Standards in mathematics for students with mathematics difficulties. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 28, 38–48. doi:10.1111/ldrp.12001

Powell, S. R. (2012). Equations and the equal sign in elementary mathematics textbooks. The Elementary School Journal, 112, 627–648. doi:10.1086/665009