A Systematic Review of Mathematics Vocabulary Interventions for Students With or At-Risk for Mathematics Difficulty

Abstract

This systematic review synthesizes the effects of mathematics vocabulary interventions on the mathematics outcomes of students with mathematics difficulty (MD) in Grades K through 12. We evaluated methodological rigor using three indicators: research design, implementation fidelity, and instruction in the counterfactual. Six peer-reviewed studies and three unpublished dissertations between 1990 and 2022 met inclusion criteria. Results showed mathematics vocabulary interventions improved students’ vocabulary knowledge, particularly when instruction was explicit with multiple opportunities to practice. Findings were less conclusive on whether improved mathematics vocabulary knowledge led to improved performance on related mathematics content. Results suggest mathematics vocabulary intervention is beneficial for higher-level mathematics reasoning, such as word-problem solving. The seven group design studies received an M rating of at least acceptable for methodological rigor, and one of two single-case studies met What Works Clearinghouse design standards without reservations. We highlight promising instructional practices implemented across studies that resulted in improved vocabulary outcomes.