Other Resources

Data Collection Instruments

Fluency Tests

In our after-school maths clubs we endeavour to develop and track learner progress in procedural fluency. Kilpatrick et al’s (2001) 5 interwoven strands of mathematical proficiency include that of procedural fluency, which they describe as “skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently and appropriately” (p. 116). One challenge we have is how to determine if the learners make progress or not in procedural fluency during their time in the club. 

This series of tests (developed by Debbie Stott and Mellony Graven) are used regularly in the clubs to monitor progress in Procedural Fluency, specifically in speed and accuracy. 

There are many ways of developing procedural fluency in young learners and in the clubs and we focus on developing this explicitly and implicitly through the activities we undertake. Askew (2010) believes that developing procedural fluency is “best done little and often rather than in less frequent, longer blocks of time” (p.27). He argues that practice in procedural fluency needs to be simple to set up and do, be done little and often, keeps learners focused on the maths and helps the learner see their own progress (p.28).

The tests may be of interest to educators as they are quick and easy to administer and to mark. They allow one to see how quickly learners are answering in the given time period and how accurate they are in answering in that time. The changes in these scores over time give one a picture of progress.

There are 7 different tests to choose from and the learners are given a specified amount of time to complete each task. The document below describes each test, and details the time allocation and total marks for the test and contains the master sheets for printing. Download Fluency Tests.

References: 

Askew, M. (2010). Do It Again. Teach Primary, 27–28. Retrieved from http://www.teachprimary.com/resource_uploads/do-it-again.pdf

Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., & Findell, B. (2001). Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Washington DC: National Academy Press.