Presents results of a study to determine the effect of type-size on the mathematical problem-solving achievement of first, second, and third graders (n=259). Analysis of variance indicated that no significant differences in achievement existed. Concludes that textbooks can utilize smaller type sizes on word problems. (MDH)

Describes one teacher's implementation of subjective grading to assess student's achievement on mathematics tests. Reports student and parent reactions to the method. Shares five practices that developed with the experiences, and provides an example of the grading policy utilized. (MDH)

First, second, and third graders (n=33) were observed in classrooms during a three-year study of the development of private speech and its relationship to behavioral accompaniment to task, attention, and task performance. Findings agreed with Vygotskian predictions that private speech promotes effective task-related behavior. (SH)

The purpose of this study was to compare the achievement for the operations of multiplication and division on whole numbers of elementary grade students who were taught functional diagnostic strategies with a randomly selected group who were not taught the informal diagnostic strategies. Included are the methodology, results, and discussion. (KR)

An argument for the recognition that multicultural diversity plays a fundamental role in the affairs of both mathematics instruction and assessment, and that such recognition is the necessary starting point for strategies of raising levels of students' mathematics achievement in British schools, is presented. (JJK)

This survey of 72 secondary teachers of students with visual impairments found that teachers encounter continuing difficulties in providing materials and equipment for mathematics instruction and that few students with visual impairments are participating in advanced mathematics classes. (Author/DB)

Assessment of 121 nondisabled elementary boys and 107 boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ages 7 through 14 years, found significantly lower problem-solving scores in specific math concepts and slower computational performance for the boys with ADHD when reading and problem structure were held constant. Instructional…

Evaluated the effectiveness in a community college of the Professional Development Program, in which (n=80) mostly minority precalculus students attend workshops utilizing small study groups, faculty leadership, challenging mathematical materials, and peer support networks. No overall effect on student performance was found. Includes postinterview…

Reports on the attitudes toward and achievement in mathematics among 7,169 undergraduate male and female students in British and Scottish universities. Finds large differences in participation rates between women and men in English and Scottish universities. (CFR)

Twenty children with left or right hemisphere dysfunction and 10 controls were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results provide limited support for the hypothesis that the right hemisphere subserves attention and concentration but not for the hypothesis that right-hemisphere deficits are more frequently associated with…

Magnitude comparison, calculation verification, and short-term memory span experiments were conducted as a means of investigating number processing in 17 deaf college students with academic weaknesses. Deaf students' level of accuracy did not differ from that shown by their hearing peers; however, mean response times of deaf students were greater…

Forty-eight seventh grade children were divided into four groups based on creative thinking scores and intelligence scores. On some measures of problem solving, imagery, and mathematics, highest scores were achieved by the high-intelligence/high-creativity group. For other assessments, creativity did not add to performance and even appeared to…

A three-year study of Saskatchewan high school sophomores found consistent male advantage in mathematics concepts, computation, and problem solving, which was unrelated to classroom behaviors or cognitive structures. Gender differences on 1978 and 1985 provincial achievement subtests are examined for grades 4, 7, and 10. Contains 50 references.…

University students (n=158) were examined to determine whether first describing a mathematical relationship by a written English sentence would affect success in constructing an algebraic equation. Students using common idiomatic forms of English that could not be directly translated into mathematical notation were found to be the most successful.…

Fifth-grade students (n=101) were studied to determine the effect of instruction on (1) the development of computational estimation strategies; (2) types of estimation errors made; and (3) estimation skills. Results indicate students adopt the estimation strategies taught and that introducing mathematical concepts through estimation increases…