Math Research and Students with Disabilities: Does it All Compute?

Abstract: This talk by Emily Bouck, associate dean of research and professor at Michigan State University’s College of Education, explored the state of the literature on research regarding mathematics and students with disabilities. While a broad topic, Bouck spent time on current research methodologies to explore mathematics and students with disabilities, current interventions explored in the research, current mathematical domain foci within the literature, and what is known about evidence-based practices. Although she tried to be inclusive, the majority of the highlighted literature discussed students with learning disabilities as well as students with intellectual disability, autism, and other developmental disabilities — two populations that have received the majority of attention in the disability and mathematics education research.

Presenter Bio: Emily Bouck is professor and associate dean for research at Michigan State University’s College of Education, where she has a faculty appointment in the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education. Her research focuses on mathematics education for students with disabilities and those at-risk. Bouck examines the response to intervention (RTL) for mathematics at the elementary and secondary level as well as mathematical interventions to support students with disabilities or those receiving RTL Tier 2 or Tier 3 services. Within her work on mathematical interventions, Bouck examines such technological approaches as virtual manipulatives and the virtual manipulative-based instructional sequences.