Algebra I has emerged in recent years
as a critical gatekeeper course, necessary to prepare students for
the rigorous mathematics curriculum required for high school
graduation and successful post-secondary experiences. Therefore,
providing Algebra I teachers with the very best resources and
professional development to ensure effective instruction has become
a priority in Kentucky and across the nation. This research study
is designed to test, through a rigorous experimental design, an
approach that combines online and technology enhanced instruction
with face-to-face classroom instruction to address this need. This
hybrid or blended approach has shown promising results in
Kentucky and elsewhere.Teachers who receive the intervention in
this study will apply the hybrid approach using the Kentucky
Virtual High Schools (KVHS) online course curriculum in Algebra I.
They will be supported by extensive professional development in
hybrid instruction and research-based practices for teaching
Algebra I. The KVHS course is fully aligned with national and new
state standards for Algebra instruction. Theresults on improved
instructional practices, classroom quality, and student learning
will be compared to those in control sites in which Algebra I
instruction will continue as it has with traditional classroom
instruction. Participating schools will be randomly assigned to
either an intervention group or a control group in Spring 2008 and
participating teachers will assume the intervention or control
status assigned to their school. Baseline data collection for both
intervention and control groups will begin in the fall 2008, and
continue each semester through spring 2010. Participating teachers
in the intervention schools will begin professional development in
May 2008, and will continue with the facilitated face-to-face and
online support of a master teacher as they implement the
intervention in 2008-2009. Teachers will continue to have access to
all of the online resources for instruction in 2009-2010, as well
as on-demand support from KVHS. Results of the study will be made
available following a technical review by the U.S. Department of
Education, Institute of Education Sciences.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.