Achievement Data for the Core-Plus Mathematics Project
in Washington State

Submitted by Core Plus Mathematics Project
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

The pass rate on the 2004 05 Tenth Grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) Mathematics test for the 22 high schools in the state of Washington that were in at least their second year using the Core Plus Mathematics curriculum was compared to that of a sample of 22 schools carefully matched on prior mathematics achievement, percent of students from low income families, percent of underrepresented minorities, and student enrollment. The match schools used a variety of textbook programs, but none used another NSF funded, NCTM Standards based curriculum. The main findings are the following.

• The pass rate in mathematics was significantly higher in the Core-Plus Mathematics schools.
• The higher pass rate in the Core Plus Mathematics schools was evident for both students from low income families and those from other families.
• Although the higher pass rate in mathematics is consistent across income levels, there is no evidence that using the Core Plus Mathematics curriculum either increases or decreases the "achievement gap."

Pass rates on the WASL Science test were also higher in the Core Plus Mathematics schools (significantly higher when one outlying pair of schools is removed).

To download a more detailed report, click on Washington State Assessment Study at www.wmich.edu/cpmp/announcements.html.