Study Participants
The participants in the study were drawn from the total population of students
with SLD in a special education classroom at High School A for whom informed consent
was received. Thirty-six of the study participants were male, and 22 were female. A
review of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each of the participants was
conducted to confirm that each participant had been identified as having SLD in
accordance with the definition of SLD provided in the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (34 CFR 300.7) and that they were currently receiving mathematics
instruction in a self-contained special education classroom. These students were chosen
because (a) they were easy to identify, (b) the principal at the school had expressed his
belief that these students needed the most help with their mathematics skills, and (c)
using only one group of students out of all of the classes at the school minimized the
distraction to the normal flow of classes.