1. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LAB ~ APPALACHIA The Effects of Hybrid Secondary School Courses in Algebra 1 on Teaching Practices, Classroom Quality and Adolescent Learning Deborah Lowther Dan Strahl August 2008

2. This study Part of a national effort to bring valid evidence of effective practices to educators –One of ~ 20 interventions from across the country chosen for a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) –Selection based on promising evidence of effectiveness and potential impact

3. Study Design Critical Elements of a Randomized Control Trial –Random assignment To ensure the effect is due to the intervention –Control group To compare outcomes –Sample size To ensure measured differences are meaningful (systematic, and not due to chance)

4. The Intervention: Hybrid Algebra 1

5. The Intervention 9 th grade Algebra 1 teachers instruct students using an online curriculum and hybrid instructional format –Teachers have unlimited online access –Students have individual access at least 40 percent of class time. Teachers receive two types of PD, focused on –Hybrid instruction –Algebra 1 instruction

6. Structural Features of the PD Community of learners The PD models the practices Active learning Job embedded About content and pedagogy Continuous support

7. What we’ll measure… Impact of Hybrid Algebra 1 on –Teaching practices –Quality of Instruction –Student learning So that other educators can benefit from what we learn

8. Study Details

9. Data collection plan Classroom observations –Observations of full Algebra 1 classes will be conducted by external researchers in up to 5 classes during 1-day (spring) visits to each Treatment and Control school. –Month, but not day, is pre-announced. –Coordinated to avoid student test day Surveys –Teacher surveys will be collected by external observers on the day of their school visit in the spring term

10. Observation Instruments School Observation Measure (SOM © ) – The SOM is used to collect data regarding overall classroom activities. Algebra I Quality Assessment (AQA) – The AQA is used to record more detailed information about observed use of the Algebra I instructional practices

11. Teacher Survey Teacher Algebra 1 Questionnaire –Collects teacher perceptions: Impact on Hybrid Approach on Instruction and student learning Teacher preparedness to teach Algebra 1 with Hybrid approach –Classroom practices General and Algebra-specific pedagogy –Strengths and Weaknesses of the Hybrid Algebra 1 approach

12. Planned analyses Treatment vs. Control Comparisons –Gains made by Hybrid Algebra 1 students to gains made by Algebra 1 control students: post-treatment with the pre-treatment period 10 th grade PLAN scores

13. Summary of Teacher Responsibilities Teach Algebra I with the intervention Agree to 1-day visits for classroom observations and collection of teacher surveys Allocate time in May 2009 for an Algebra I post-test in each section of Algebra 1 that you teach –Tests will be administered by Site Researcher –Remain with classes during testing –Have students complete test coversheets prior to the test Communicate with us: –If you change class schedule, or move, or have new contact information