Current Challenge
Middle school students often struggle to retain key mathematical concepts over time, which limits their ability to succeed on cumulative assessments and high-stakes tests. Despite covering core content, many instructional approaches do not adequately support long-term retention or promote deep conceptual understanding.
Math teachers need effective, research-based strategies to help students review and reinforce prior learning in ways that lead to lasting mastery. Flexible tools and targeted support can help teachers implement these strategies with greater impact.
Purpose
WestEd has an exciting new study opportunity for 6th and 7th grade math teachers to consider for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Our Evaluation of Review Assignments in Math study investigates the impact of mathematical review strategies on student learning, which involves ordering mathematics problems in different ways to help students learn and retain concepts. The study is being conducted in partnership with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and The ASSISTments Foundation.
This study explores the role of strategic review assignments in helping 6th and 7th grade students consolidate their understanding of math content and perform better on cumulative assessments and high-stakes tests. The findings will contribute to the national dialogue on effective math instruction and inform future practice and policy.
Key Activities
- Engage in collaborative, evidence-based professional learning focused on strategic math review practices and delivered in a flexible online format
- Receive ready-to-use, research-backed review assignments aligned with 6th and 7th grade math standards
- Learn how to integrate cumulative review into your regular instruction
- Collaborate with peers and content experts to share strategies and insights throughout the school year
- Contribute to a supportive community of educators
Audiences and Eligible Participants
Teachers who teach at least one class of 6th or 7th grade math.
Compensation
Teachers will receive a stipend of up to $1,250. In fall 2026, we will ask 7th and 8th grade teachers to administer a one-time assessment to past student participants; these teachers will receive a stipend of $200 each. We will also share study findings with your district to better inform future decision-making around math instruction.
About the Research
Participating teachers will
- attend a 60-minute virtual training,
- assign and review approximately 10 Review Assignments throughout the school year (30 minutes each, aligned with Common Core State Standards in Ratios & Proportions and Number Systems),
- complete surveys and weekly logs (approximately 90 minutes total), and
- administer short student assessments (30 minutes per assessment).
Note: Classes will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will work on the same problems, but at different times of the year.
Your voice and participation are vital! Join us in transforming how students review and retain mathematics. Please also share this opportunity with your colleagues and district leaders. Weekly drop-in info sessions where you can ask any questions are available for those interested in learning more on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. PT/2pm CT/ 3 p.m. ET.
Join our info session here: https://wested.zoom.us/j/96976643378
Study Director
Bryan Matlen
Funder
This study is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and is led by WestEd, a nonpartisan research, development, and service agency.
Duration
2025–26 School Year
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