Back to Basics Learning Kit: Enhancing Integer Operation Skills Among Middle and High School Learners at Crazy Horse School, Wanblee, South Dakota, USA

Abstract

This study developed and evaluated a Back-to-Basics Learning Kit designed to improve learners’ performance in integer operations at Crazy Horse School in Wanblee, South Dakota, USA, during the 2024–2025 school year. A descriptive-developmental approach combined with a one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. The acceptability of the learning kit was assessed by expert validators in terms of content, format, and presentation and organization using an adapted Learning Resources Management and Development System checklist. Learners’ performance was measured through pretest and posttest assessments covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize acceptability ratings and performance levels. In contrast, paired-samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to examine differences between pretest and posttest scores. Results showed that the learning kit was rated Very Satisfactory across all criteria. Learners demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all integer operations (p < .001). Effect size analysis indicated large practical gains. However, due to the absence of a comparison group, the findings should be interpreted with caution. The study recommends further validation using controlled designs and expanded outcome measures.