Data on academic self-concept, school grades, and teacher ratings of achievement were collected from 603 students for three high school subjects in each of three years. Structural equation models show reciprocal effects for prior achievement and academic self-concept for all subjects. Effects were largest for mathematics. (SLD)

A study of 12 special education teachers who had a high acceptance of curriculum-based assessment and 9 teachers who had a low acceptance found they differed on two of five implementation measures. Also, there was a significant difference in the rate of growth affected by their students in math. (Author/CR)

Studied the teaching and learning of fractions in two matched groups of 10 9-10-year-olds in the Netherlands. In the experimental group, fractions were introduced using the bar and number line as mental models, while the control group used fair sharing and the circle model. The experimental group showed more proficiency in fractions after 1 year.…

This study investigated students' mathematics achievement, estimation ability, use of estimation strategies, and academic self-perception with 135 students (n=135) in grades 4, 6, or 8, either with learning disabilities (LD), average achievers, or intellectually gifted. Students with LD differed significantly from average achievers in their use of…

Explored how children's literacy skills and resources at the start of kindergarten relate to their reading and mathematics achievement at the end of kindergarten and the start of first grade. Data are from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998-1999 (National Center for Education Statistics). Findings show that children…

A secondary analysis of the National Assessment of Educational Progress was conducted to provide insight into ethnic differences in 12th-grade math achievement. Variables central to the three conditions model of achievement accounted for 45%-50% of the variance. The implications of these results for theories of ethnic differences and for reform…

Introduces the articles of this theme issue, which cover a wide variety of questions and problems relevant to research using findings of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The articles have in common that most try to determine the degree to which certain factors influence student achievement. The focus is on five…

An 11-item math concept curriculum-based measure (CBM) was administered to 171 eighth grade students. Scores were correlated with scores from a computer adaptive test designed in conjunction with the state to approximate the official statewide mathematics achievement tests. Correlations for general education students and students with learning…

A study involving 80 undergraduates with deafness enrolled in first-year algebra courses found students were more likely to miscomprehend a relational statement and commit a reversal error when the required arithmetic operation was inconsistent with the statement's relational term. Reading ability influenced performance, and errors decreased as…

Meta-analyses of sex differences in attitudes and affect specific to mathematics found that effects were small in size and similar to sex differences in mathematics performance. When differences did exist, the pattern was for females to hold more negative attitudes than males. However, males held more sex-stereotyped attitudes than did females.…

A meta-analysis of studies conducted between 1974 and mid-1987 on sex differences in mathematical tasks is presented. Methods used include estimations of: (1) parameters for a random effects model, and (2) coefficients for a linear-regression equation, all based on effect sizes calculated from each study. Differences have been decreasing. (TJH)

The current status of research and development on cooperative learning in mathematics is discussed in an interview with Neil Davidson. The focus is on significant achievement differences favoring small group procedures. Key issues discussed are cooperative learning and problem-solving skills, and students' need for some kind of reward. (JD)

Studied role of self-efficacy in mediating gender differences on Investigative and Realistic General Occupational Themes of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory among 71 male and 77 female entering university freshmen. Path analyses suggested a correlation where mathematics self-efficacy and high school mathematics preparation mediated gender…

Discussed are experiences in using the calculator to assess mathematical understanding on the Missouri Mastery and Achievement Tests (MMAT). Data from a calculator group and a no-calculator group at the eighth- and tenth-grade levels are reported. Several items showed differences between groups. (YP)

Describes some boisterous physical games which might be useful in promoting learning, especially in elementary mathematics classes with the socially disadvantaged. Provides a discussion of Jerome Bruner's theory which undergirds such activities. Presents results of an experiment using these methods with 160 children. Finds the case for using play…