Field-tests
The materials were field-tested during the 2005-06 school year, where they were used with more than1,000 students in grades 7 through 10. Six additional modules are in development and field-testing and will be available in 2009.
The field tests found that students were engaged by the AIM for Algebra modules and exhibited statistically significant increases in performance on module-specific assessments. Researchers determined that each module led to increased student achievement,that the increases were substantial, and that the data showed no ceiling effect, meaning that continued student improvement could be expected. In addition,teachers involved in the field testing rated the AIM for Algebra materials better at engaging students and helping them understand algebraic concepts than curriculum materials they had used in the past. AIM for Algebra is based on cognitive research on how students learn. As a result, activities are designed to help students understand underlying algebraic concepts in a deep way, organize their thinking, work with multiple representations, and learn incrementally. See the Results.