Solving Algebraic Word Problems Using General Heuristics Instruction

Solving word problems is a large part of algebra coursework and statewide testing. However, solving secondary mathematics word problems is difficult for most students and extremely challenging for students with specific learning disabilities (SLD). In recent meta-analyses, two problem solving strategies emerged as effective for secondary students with SLD: Schema-Based Instruction (SBI) and General Heuristics Instruction (GHI). While SBI has been highlighted in recent works, GHI deserves further explanation. In this article, we provide details of GHI and highlight its flexibility and utility using different algebra examples.