Funded the National Science Foundation’ Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, this study is designed to support students, families, and educators during one of the most critical transitions in elementary education: the move from second to third grade.

Why Third Grade Matters

Third grade is a pivotal year. Students face more complex math concepts like multiplication and fractions, higher behavioral expectations, and the onset of high-stakes standardized testing. These changes can lead to declines in math attitudes and engagement—especially for students in high-poverty schools.

This CAREER program aims to understand and improve this transition by studying how classroom experiences and children's executive function skills are associated with children’s math achievement and math attitudes.

What We Are Doing

Through a five-year research and educational outreach program, the COMET Study will:

• Track over 400 students from second grade to third grade in Title 1 schools

• Observe classroom experiences during math instruction to understand how they change and affect learning

• Examine how executive function skills support students’ academic growth and attitudes toward math

• Establish the Transitioning To Third (T3) program, which is a collaboration between UNL and Lincoln Public Schools, designed to foster meaningful connections between researchers, educators, and families. We will develop practical tools for educators and families, including:

  • Research briefs for second- and third-grade teachers

  • Outreach programs for parents to support their children’s transition

  • Hands-on training for undergraduate and graduate students in classroom-based research and community engagement

Learn More

• Read the Nebraska Today article about the COMET study

• Watch a news story from KMTV 3 News about the COMET study

• Read the award abstract from the National Science Foundation

Graduate Student Opportunity

Dr. Finch is currently recruiting a new graduate student to join the COMET Study. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a large-scale, community-engaged research study. If you're interested in classroom-based research, executive function, and math learning in elementary school, you are encourage you to apply to the Ph.D. program in Developmental Psychology! Please read more about my mentoring style and other research we are conducting in the lab.