Building Blocks Continues to Demonstrate Effectiveness in Achieving Math Proficiency

Research into the efficacy of Building Blocks™ continues to show positive results for both students and teachers, according to a three-state study. The development and continued research for Building Blocks -- an elementary mathematics software program available through SRA/McGraw-Hill -- has been strongly supported by the federal funds from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Educational Sciences.

Building Blocks is a software-driven curriculum used in a research-based teaching model that combines the program with professional development for teachers. This model, which is the focus of the study, is called TRIAD (Technology-enhanced, Research-based Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Development).

The study began at schools in Buffalo, N.Y., and Boston, Mass., in 2005. In 2006, Nashville also joined the study, which will continue through 2009. Between the 3 states, more than 167 classrooms are participating. Students in the study who were taught through the TRIAD model outscored those were not on the Research-based Elementary Math Assessment by 50%!

The research project -- called Scaling Up TRIAD: Teaching Early Mathematics for Understanding with Trajectories and Technologies -- was designed to build on previous research, testing if the TRIAD intervention model works in multiple, varied settings and if positive effects are sustained longitudinally.

About the Building Blocks Curriculum

Building Blocks was developed by Drs. Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama of University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

The curriculum components of the study are also available as SRA Real Math Pre-K. In addition, the software component of Building Blocks (https://www.sraonline.com/products.html?PHPSESSID=8003111df3f7382f1119fe581e5 b1bb8&tid=10&sid=3611) (Due to the length of this URL, please copy and paste into your browser) is incorporated in both SRA Real Math (https://www.sraonline.com/products.html?PHPSESSID=8003111df3f7382f1119fe581e5 b1bb8&tid=10&sid=2094) (Due to the length of this URL, please copy and paste into your browser) and SRA Number Worlds® (https://www.sraonline.com/products.html?PHPSESSID=8003111df3f7382f1119fe581e5 b1bb8&tid=10&sid=2701) (Due to the length of this URL, please copy and paste into your browser) for Pre-K-6 to serve as a computer-based personal student tutor, providing engaging, proven learning activities that correspond to levels of thinking on the learning trajectory. Building Blocks also has a sophisticated management system to track individual and class progress.

"Building Blocks is an example of how technology can assist teachers in boosting student learning through customizing activities to the individual child's understanding," Dr. Clements explained. "The results we are seeing in the classroom are exciting."

  For more information about the research project, visit www.ubtriad.org.

  News Reports Show Children as Young as 3 Learning Math

Schools participating in the Scaling Up TRIAD research project have received positive media attention for their success. West Zone Early Learning Center is featured in an NPR story (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88154049) as well as Boston's WCVB-TV,(http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15776035/detail.html) where you can see the program in action. Buffalo School District was highlighted in a June 6 article published by Buffalo News (http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/363834.html).

About SRA/McGraw-Hill

SRA/McGraw-Hill is the top provider of specialized research-based educational programs and professional development for the elementary market. Leading programs include SRA Imagine It! reading program, Direct Instruction, Real Math, and additional core and supplemental programs. SRA is part of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP). McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of instructional, assessment, and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. McGraw-Hill Education has offices in 33 countries and publishes in more than 40 languages. Additional information is available at mheducation.com. For more information on SRA/McGraw-Hill's products, call 1-888-SRA-4543 and visit SRAonline.com.

  Contact:  Amy Tillinghast
            SRA/McGraw-Hill                          Paul Werth Associates
            (614) 750-7285                           (614) 224-8114 Ext. 236
            amy_tillinghast@mcgraw-hill.com          mmetzger@paulwerth.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: SRA/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Amy Tillinghast
SRA/McGraw-Hill
(614) 750-7285
amy_tillinghast@mcgraw-hill.com
or
Paul Werth Associates
(614) 224-8114 Ext. 236
mmetzger@paulwerth.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/
http://www.sraonline.com/
http://www.ubtriad.org/