In 1981 a nationwide assessment of achievement in writing geometry proofs was conducted by the Cognitive Development and Achievement in Secondary School Geometry project. Over 1,500 students in 11 schools in 5 states participated. This paper describes the sample, instruments, grading procedures, and selected results. Results include: (1) at the…

In "Relating Mathematics to the Middle School Child's Real World", multi-faceted learning kits were developed, piloted, field tested, and revised. The kits make heavy use of games, simulations, practical applications of real world math skills, and other activity-oriented strategies. They use a learning cycle approach to help students…

Person fit in the Rasch one parameter model is investigated. The first set of data deals with grade 3 students responding to the mathematics computation and reading vocabulary subscales of the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills Forms (CTBS/S). The second set of data deals with grade 3 students responding to the Basic Skills Assessment Program…

Investigated the effects of assertive training on measures of assertiveness, state anxiety, and mathematics performance in highly anxious ninth graders (N=96). Found that assertive training resulted in increased assertiveness and decreased state anxiety, with no significant effect on mathematics performance, and no significant effect due to sex.…

This study investigated issues affecting the achievement of girls talented in mathematics, focusing on those enrolled in the Advanced Placement program. Data from 1975, when boys were first admitted to all-girl classes, to 1985 are compared. Aptitude increased, achievement remained virtually unchanged, but GPAs for girls dropped. (MNS)

Gender differences in children tested at grades two, four, and six over an eleven-year period are reported. No significant gender differences or gender by grade level differences were found, but there was a downward trend in performance on mathematical tasks as grade level increased. (MNS)

Collected data on more than 20,000 incoming college freshmen for the years of 1976, 1980, and 1981, tracking each student by computer for 16 consecutive quarters using course grade database tapes. Highest class rank achieved and college major were determined for each student. Results suggest importance of students entering college with good…

Studies were conducted in Chinese, Japanese, and American classrooms during mathematics classes. Large cross-cultural differences were found in variables related to classroom structure and management. These paralleled differences in mathematics achievement among China, Japan, and the United States. (PCB)

Review of research of between-class and within-class ability grouping on the achievement of elementary students. Ability grouping appears most effective for specific subjects with students remaining in heterogeneous classes most of the day. Cross-grade assignment for selected subjects can increase achievement. (SLD)

Slavin's 1987 review of research of between- and within-class ability grouping on achievement of elementary students is discussed, and its assumptions examined. It is suggested that recent theory and research make the Slavin review most useful from the perspective of historical analysis. (SLD)

Forty-eight students with no previous exposure to probability or statistics read one of three textbooks that varied in emphasis placed on rote and conceptual learning of basic elementary probability concepts. Findings, among others, show students who read textbooks emphasizing conceptual learning tended to be less sensitive to surface features.…

The High School Mathematics Test was administered to 9,582 high school students in Illinois and to 1,700 in Japan. The Japanese sample scored more than two standard deviations above the American sample. Factors associated with mathematics achievement included number of mathematics courses taken and student motivation. (GDC)

This annual report discusses the mathematics being taught and ways of teaching it. The need for improvement is reinforced by data from the Second International Mathematics Study. (MNS)

A mathematics learning hierarchy was developed, with examples of lateral and vertical transfer instructional treatments--achievement only, or achievement with understanding--were used with 177 eighth and ninth graders. The achievement with understanding treatment was better for lateral transfer for most students, and vertical transfer for the more…

Research on when and how geometric concepts are learned is briefly discussed. Several teaching suggestions are included. (MNS)