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 Âblended 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 SchoolÂs (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).
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Teacher Questionnaire
ED-OMB Hybrid QandA Dec07-Jan08.doc
Teacher Questionnaire