Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Schema Intervention: Improving Word Problem Solving for English Language Learners With Mathematics Difficulty

Word problems are prevalent on high-stakes assessments, and success on word problems has implications for grade promotion and graduation. Unfortunately, English Language Learners (ELLs) continue to perform significantly below their native English-speaking peers on mathematics assessments featuring word problems. Little is known about the instructional needs and performance of ELLs at risk of mathematics difficulty (MD). In the present study, an exploratory quasi-experimental design was used to investigate word-problem instruction for ELLs in a culturally and linguistically diverse public elementary school. Specifically, we studied the efficacy of a word-problem intervention for ELLs with MD (N = 9) that combined culturally and linguistically responsive practices with schema instruction (CLR-SI). The study is unique in that it combines research on effective instruction for ELLs and students with MD; CLR-SI has not been investigated for either ELLs or students with MD. Results have implications for teachers, administrators, and researchers of ELLs with MD.