The objectives of study were: (1) To develop self-instructional learning material on the topic - Algebraic Expressions for standard VIII. (2) To prepare an instructional program so as to fulfill the needs of the students with different attainment levels. (3) To prepare criterion referenced tests on every sub-topic of the topic chosen for the study. (4) To find the effectiveness of the self-instructional learning material. (5) To find the effectiveness of the learning program. 

The sample comprised of 108 students of standard VIII from an English medium school situated in Pune city. The sample was selected using the non-probability sampling method.  

The tools used for the study were: prerequisite test prepared by the researcher and criterion reference test prepared by the researcher. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to find the test reliability. The Cohen’s Kappa coefficients for CRT sub-test 1, 2,3 and 4 was 0.61, 0.58, 0.64 and 0.66 respectively.

The study was experimental in nature. The design used was single group pretest post-test design.

The findings of study were: (1) The pre-specified mastery criterion of 80-80 is attained by the students on all the four sub-topics mainly: (a) Addition of polynomials, (b) Subtraction of polynomials, (c) Multiplication of polynomials, (d) Division of polynomials. (2) The self-learning material on the sub topic addition of polynomials is sufficient for 72% of the students to achieve the mastery level of 80%. (3) The self-learning material on the sub topic subtraction of polynomials is sufficient for 69.4% of the students to achieve the mastery level of 80%. (4) The self-learning material on the sub topic multiplication of polynomials is sufficient for 65.7% of the students to achieve the mastery level of 80%. (5) The self-learning material on the sub topic division of polynomials is sufficient for 69.4% of the students to achieve the mastery level of 80%. (6) The learning program on the sub topic addition of polynomials is successful in raising the achievement level of 97.2% students at or above mastery standard. (7) The learning program on the sub topic subtraction of polynomials is successful in raising the achievement level of 92.5% students at or above mastery standard. (8) The learning program on the sub topic addition of polynomials is successful in raising the achievement level of 95.3% students at or above mastery standard. (7) The learning program on the sub topic division  of polynomials is successful in raising the achievement level of 94.4% students at or above mastery standard.