The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Illinois at Chicago a five-year, $3 million grant to evaluate the assessment components of two mathematics curricula.

Researchers led by James Pellegrino, UIC distinguished professor of psychology and education, will examine two NSF-supported K-5 math programs, "Everyday Mathematics" and "Math Trailblazers."

"The research will make major contributions to understanding what constitutes quality assessment in elementary school mathematics and how such assessment supports student learning as part of an ongoing and coherent instructional process tied to nationally defined standards," said Pellegrino, principal investigator for the project.

The project aims to improve future implementation of curriculum-embedded assessment -- the impact of which can be extensive, given the math programs' large user base, Pellegrino said. The study will help teachers make effective use of such assessments in their practice.

"The research will also yield valuable information to guide the design of new assessment materials and related professional development for teachers, including those using these two programs," Pellegrino said.

The study will be carried out within the context of the Chicago Public Schools' Mathematics-Science Initiative, a comprehensive, multi-year effort to improve mathematics teaching and learning.

Pellegrino's research team, including curriculum designers, cognitive scientists, mathematics educators, and measurement specialists, will focus on the math performance of urban, ethnically and linguistically diverse students and how teachers can use assessment tools to better assist student achievement.

"Everyday Mathematics" and "Math Trailblazers" were both developed in Chicago (one at UIC) and are used by more than 3 million students in districts and classrooms across the country.

Other UIC researchers involved with the evaluation are Susan Goldman, distinguished professor of psychology and education; Kimberley Williams Gomez, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction; and Louis DiBello and William Stout, research professors in UIC's Learning Sciences Research Institute.

Pellegrino, who joined UIC in 2001, has previously supervised large-scale research and development projects for NSF and other groups such as National Institutes of Health and the Office of Naval Research. He is currently leading a $1.8 million NSF grant to the College Board to redesign advanced placement courses in biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science.

Pellegrino and Goldman serve as co-directors of UIC's Learning Sciences Research Institute.

For more information about UIC, please visit www.uic.edu.