Year 1

Project AAIMS Activities Year 1: 2004

Year 1 of Project AAIMS began in January 2004. During the first semester of the project (January through May), we conducted classroom observations in District A and interviewed general and special education teachers, as well as the building principal. We administered three types of algebra measures to 118 students in general and special education algebra classes. We also gathered criterion data, including class records of homework/test grades, teacher ratings of student proficiency in algebra, course grades, standardized test scores, and scores on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test. The results of these investigations are reported in Technical Reports 1, 2, and 3, as well as the District A Case Study.

In March 2004, the Project AAIMS Advisory Panel met for the first time on the Iowa State University campus. This group included general and special education teachers, administrators, and parents representing each of the three participating school districts, as well as faculty members in special education and mathematics education who were not directly involved in Project AAIMS. The role of this group was to provide feedback on the activities of the project and to guide the research team by evaluating the extent to which we were meeting our intended objectives.

During the 2004 fall semester, we replicated the observation, interview, and document review activities in Districts B and C. We also gathered data on the reliability and validity of the algebra measures. In District A, we administered two additional types of algebra measures during the fall. The results of the observational studies are reported in Technical Reports 4, 5, 8, and 9, as well as the District B and C Case Studies. The results of the algebra measures studies are reported in Technical Reports 6 and 7.

The Advisory Panel met in the fall to review the accomplishments of the project to date and to provide feedback on our planned activities for the 2004-05 academic year.