Overall Research Project Description I am acquiring 2 UROPs for two separate ongoing research projects: (a) my dissertation evaluating the development of personal finance skills and (2) a study evaluating the development of algebra skills and the alignment of skills with the workplace. Both research studies include young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (autism spectrum disorder), are mixed methods, and are in the data analysis stage. Both studies are part of a multi-year grant within the "General Curriculum Access" Lab at FSU and are in the data analysis phase. UROPs will primarily work within one project, either my dissertation or the algebra study, based on preferences, interests, and availability.

More specifically, my dissertation evaluated the effects of a mathematics intervention when delivered by a teacher and a paraprofessional in a small group to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This project not only is evaluating the effects of the mathematics intervention on the learning of the participants (i.e., personal finance skills) but also exploring the perceptions of the teacher and paraprofessional related to mathematics instruction for this population, the intervention being used, and what potential variables influence their instruction. The algebra study evaluated the effects of an algebra curriculum when delivered by a teacher whole group to young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study is interested in evaluating the learned algebra skills of participants as well as analyzing typical errors made by participants and how the skills generalize to the workplace / workforce. Both studies will result in multiple published manuscripts within highly competitive academic journals.