Program Description
Whole Number Foundations is a Tier 2 supplemental intervention that uses one-to-two or one-to-five small group tutoring to help kindergarteners and first graders at risk for failure in mathematics. The program is designed to promote procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. The small groups are taught by paraprofessionals who receive 10 hours of professional development, plus frequent in-school visits by coaches and general supervision by kindergarten teachers. Level K provides 50 lessons in 20-minute sessions five days a week. Level 1 provides 60 lessons delivered three to five times per week in 30-minute sessions.
Program Outcomes
Whole Number Foundations Level K was evaluated in two qualifying studies in Oregon, Massachusetts, and Texas. On SESAT, TEMA-3, and NSB measures, students in WNF Level K gained more than controls. Whole Number Foundations Level 1 was evaluated in three qualifying studies in the Oregon and Boston areas with larger effects for WNF Level 1 students compared to control students on the TEMA-3 measure. These studies qualify Whole Number Foundations for the “Strong” evidence category, with an average effect size of +0.19.