The Nature and Quality of Algebra Instruction: Using a Content-Focused Observation Tool as a Lens for Understanding and Improving Instructional Practice

Abstract Algebra is a key course in the high school mathematics sequence. Despite its prominence, large-scale examinations of algebra instruction are rare and it is not clear whether and how instructional practices that support students’ learning of algebra content manifest in classroom instruction. Drawing on video from 108 ninth-grade algebra lessons from 5 districts recorded as part of the Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) Project, I describe instruction using scores from a newly developed, algebra-focused observation tool to ground the description of instructional practice in the content being taught. I present the range of instructional formats and the nature and quality of algebra-focused instructional features related to the teaching of procedures and to the ways in which teachers leverage connections to support students’ algebra learning. To illustrate these descriptive results, I present case studies of 2 lessons: 1 rated typical and 1 rated high-quality. I find that although the majority of lessons in the sample follow traditional formats, specific instructional features that benefit student learning in algebra are present to a modest degree across lessons, though not often at high levels of quality. The case lessons demonstrate both glimmers of promise and missed opportunities to engage in instruction that benefits student learning of algebra. I discuss the implications of these results for improving the quality of algebra teaching and argue for the affordances of a content-focused observation tool as a lens for instructional improvement efforts.