In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, federal legislators, the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and local businesses and community members, a consortium of 20 suburban Chicago school districts formed learning networks to master Goal 5 of the Goals 2000…

Explains scientific character as an attempt to move beyond the ability-centered focus of student learning in science towards recognizing the role of attitude and affect on student performance and the importance of developed patterns of behavior. Highlights the role of inclination and awareness as important factors in the development of scientific…

Describes patterns of achievement in mathematics and science for elementary and secondary students who participated in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Discusses the low achievement of Cyprus students and the responses of the public and the educational system. (SLD)

Conducted an analysis of achievement on the fourth and eighth grade mathematics and science results from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) to identify the mathematics and science content knowledge and understandings associated with the TIMSS. Two 10-member panels of experts studied each country's benchmark descriptions…

Asserts that while females have made gains in high school mathematics, science, and technology achievement, they still lag far behind males in undergraduate degrees in computer science, engineering, and physics. Advocates continuation of math and science enrichment and support programs for females. (PKP)

Discusses results of latest Program of International Student Assessment developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that tested 15-year-olds in 32 countries in reading, mathematics, and science. Focuses on reaction to below-average results in Germany. (PKP)

Young children are often curious about the world around them and they will freely explore their environment. However it is naive to assume that children can discover most scientific ideas for themselves. They need help, support and direction to begin to make sense of their world, to build the foundations of scientific ideas and to make the…

Comments on the original article "Sex Differences in Intrinsic Aptitude for Mathematics and Science?: A Critical Review," by E. S. Spelke (see record EJ733610). Spelke considered "three claims that cognitive sex differences account for the differential representation of men and women in high-level careers in mathematics and science." The focus…

The purpose of this study is to explore the learning effect related to different learning styles in a Web-based virtual science laboratory for elementary school students. The online virtual lab allows teachers to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into science lessons. The results of this experimental teaching method…

This article discusses the five studies included in this issue. Each article addressed the same topic, population invariance of equating. They all used data from major standardized testing programs, and they all used essentially the same statistics to evaluate their results, namely, the root mean square difference and root expected mean square…

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a case study approach on students' achievement and attitudes towards viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protista. Fifth-grade students (N = 88) from two different classes were involved in the study. One intact class was assigned as the experimental group, whereas the other intact class…

Our 5-year professional development intervention is designed to promote elementary teachers' knowledge, beliefs, and practices in teaching science, along with English language and mathematics for English Language Learning (ELL) students in urban schools. In this study, we used an end-of-year questionnaire as a primary data source to seek teachers'…

It is widely accepted that inquiry-based curriculum programs have positive effects on cognitive achievement, process skills, and attitudes toward science (NRC 2000). Science teachers seek engaging, effective, and inquiry-based activities that are standards-aligned and convenient to implement in their classrooms. For many years, the web has…

This article reports on reactions to the U.S. Department of Education's first time decision to sit out an international study designed to show how advanced high school students around the world measure up in math and science. Mark S. Schneider, the commissioner of the department's National Center for Education Statistics, which normally takes the…

This report shows how well educators across the United States have increased access to the types of rich academic experiences that prepare students for success in college. By combining national, state and AP (Advanced Placement) data, this report provides educators and policymakers with information they can use to celebrate their successes,…