Concrete-

Representational-
Abstract Model
(CRA)

Abstract: Effective evidence based interventions has been the topic of the
special education community for many years. Interventions range across all subject
areas, however being more predominant in some than others. Effective evidence based
interventions are extremely limited within the subject area of math, causing students
with disabilities to often struggle in that area. Additionally, due to the shift in rigor
and the standards, math has become an area of working memory, arithmetic, formulas,
procedures, and even literature comprehension. Therefore, this study will analyze a
specific mathematical intervention that can be implemented across all aspects and
concepts of math. The Concrete-Representational-Abstract model melds the use of
manipulatives, representations, and solving problems numerically all together in order
to increase understanding of the concept. The study will discuss the basics of the CRA
model, the use of the CRA model in both simple math and algebra courses, and the
effects of using the model on student’s performance. The study then delves into the
use of the CRA model within a 7 t h grade classroom studying the concepts of
simplifying algebraic expressions and adding and subtracting linear expressions;
comparing the student’s growth throughout the unit using data from a pre- and post-
assessment. The study will then be concluded by interpreting the results of the data
in comparison to the methods of implementation of the evidence based intervention
within the classroom structure. Overall, the goal of this study is to guide student’s
through understanding algebraic concepts in a multitude of ways in order to show
comprehension of the material and how it relates to the real-world.