Effects of Explicit Instruction on Math Word-Problem Solving by Community College Students with Learning Disabilities

This study examined effects of two types of instruction on the word-problem solving performance of postsecondary students with learning disabilities. We used an analysis of error patterns to determine the effects of explicit instructions when word-problem language did not directly correspond (i.e., was inconsistent) with required arithmetic operations. Thirty-eight students randomly participated in either a translation training group, a diagram training group, or an attention-control group. Analyses of variance revealed that the diagram group outperformed both the attention-control and the translation group. We interpret these findings as showing the importance of procedural as well as declarative forms of math word-problem solving knowledge.