Translating Research to Practice: Developing and Evaluating an Integrated Number Sense Screener

Juan Gavilanes

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: Hennings College of Science Mathematics and Technology

Major: BS.COMPSCI/DATSCI

Faculty Research Mentor: Schiller, Lauren  

Abstract:

Research-based screeners effectively monitor early number sense development, enabling interventions that improve mathematical outcomes. However, tools for upper elementary and middle school students remain scarce and often fail to reflect the importance of integrated number sense—the ability to flexibly compare and estimate across fractions, decimals, and percentages. Current curricular materials typically focus on individual notations in isolation rather than this essential integrated skill, which predicts math achievement (i.e., standardized test scores and SAT/ACT scores).This project aims to translate a researcher-based assessment of integrated number sense into a practical, browser-based tool for progress-monitoring and evaluate its utility in educational settings.We developed a web-based screener using the Next.js framework and jsPsych to ensure consistent stimulus presentation and automated data logging. The tool features a magnitude comparison task and a number line estimation task designed to provide immediate feedback.Pilot testing in Spring 2026 will facilitate large-scale data collection of integrated number sense development in middle school classes. We plan to correlate numeracy screener results with math achievement and other rational number and executive functioning tasks. These findings have significant implications for improving classroom instruction and math outcomes.