Effects of reciprocal peer tutoring for students in a 6th grade mathematics class

Abstract

The current mathematics curriculum intertwined with the Common Core State Standards has created a struggle for teachers and struggling students in the classroom to find time and successful ways for interventions. Research has shown for decades that tutoring has been a useful strategy employed with students and over time has been altered through trial and error to create different types of tutoring based upon student needs. Extensive previous research using Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT) has occurred at the elementary and high school level. The purpose of this study is to select the specific research based tutoring program RPT and to use the historical research to create a study to explore its impact on struggling 6th grade mathematic students views of their math skills and show academic gains or losses. In the study described, students took a survey of their views of their individual math skills before and after the implementation as well as a pre and post-test for Quarter 1. Twelve students were selected to participate in the study that occurred 5 days per week for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks data was collected and analyzed to show the effects of RPT on academics and math viewpoint. At the completion of the study students were shown to have made growth in their math skills from quarter one.[from author's abstract]