This study compared two grouping conditions (Direct Instruction vs. an instructional package containing Direct Instruction, Peer Assisted Learning Strategies, and self-monitoring) on 6th and 7th grade special education students' abilities to solve algebraic equations in inclusive settings. Results show that there were no differences between experimental and comparison groups based on students' abilities to independently solve one-step equations. In addition to these findings, it was also suggested that students in both 6th and 7th grade levels had similar growth on posttests after ten days of instruction (with 7th graders scoring one point higher). Results indicated that students in experimental groups had higher retention rates than students in comparison groups for up to two weeks after instruction had ended. Finally, results suggested that there were no statistically significant differences in groups' abilities to generalize strategies to more complex problem solving; students in both treatment conditions scored approximately eight points higher on posttest measures for solving two-step algebraic equations
