Examines the influence of ethnic background, socioeconomic status, and gender on mathematical ability and confidence in urban high school students. Interviews with 100 students reveal African American youth do have academic self-confidence, males sought more mathematics education than females, and that minority youth are not easily discouraged by…

So far, results from the massive Third International Mathematics and Science Study indicate that American students have not yet achieved national goal number 5--to be first in the world in math and science achievement by 2000. Although fourth graders' results were surprisingly stronger than eighth graders' scores, American students' overall…

Investigated mediators of effects of preschool intervention on children's school achievement in sixth grade. Found that preschool participation was significantly associated with higher reading achievement, higher math achievement, and with lower incidence of grade retention. Cognitive readiness and parent involvement in school significantly…

Student course-taking patterns in seven high schools in California and New York that attempted to enroll lower level math students in more meaningful math courses were studied. Results show that the new transition math courses are partially successful in providing a common curriculum to students with diverse math preparation. (SLD)

Describes a program to improve mathematical skills of off-track students through a partnership among a university, public school, local telephone company, and the community (including families and social agencies). Shows significant improvements in students' academic achievement, and notes that all of the teachers felt the social work aspect had a…

Presents findings from five studies measuring students' attitudes towards mathematics, perception of performance, perception of the importance of mathematical problem solving, and perception of problem difficulty. The interaction of affect and cognition and the implications for assessing and teaching mathematical problem solving to students with…

College students (n=204) who had difficulties in both foreign language and math (FLD/MD), only math difficulties, or only foreign language difficulties (FLD) were studied. The students with FLD showed a pattern of deficits on subtests measuring grammar and spelling, long-term memory, and visual phonology. More males were referred for FLD.…

Assessed the reading and mathematics abilities of kindergartners and first graders in the fall and spring of the school year. Found that younger first graders made as much progress over the year as older first graders and more than older kindergartners. Findings demonstrated that entrance age was not a good predictor of learning or academic risk.…

Describes the function game, or input-output game, and its benefits. One person is the computer and thinks of a rule. Classmates give input values and the computer gives the corresponding output. The object is to guess the rule. Benefits include the use of mental mathematics, problem solving, communication opportunities, and fostering key ideas,…

Elementary school students (N=75) with mild disabilities were monitored in reading and math before and after summer vacation and six weeks into the following school year using Curriculum-Based Measurement Probes. Results indicated significant regression following break. By recoupment measurement, students had regained proficiency and performed…

Four alternate versions of a 15-item general outcome measure (GOM) of mathematics conceptual understanding and applications were developed and administered to 117 eighth-graders. Results were correlated with scores on state multiple-choice mathematics achievement tests. Correlations ranged from .81 to .87 with no significant differences, offering…

Based on 1970s data, the "Heyneman-Loxley (HL) effect" proposed that in developing nations, school variables were more important than family socioeconomic status in determining academic achievement. A reassessment of the HL effect using 1990s TIMSS data found the relationship between family background and student achievement to be…

Summarizes concerns addressed in this special issue on Black students and mathematics, science, and technology education, including the following: (1) the imperative to improve the educational delivery system; (2) the consequences of failure to do so; (3) the necessity of empowerment; (4) the call for a multicultural approach; and (5) the role of…

Investigated was the effect of presenting arithmetic word problems in the students' native language or in English on Nigerian students mathematics skills and strategies. Findings indicated that both private and public school students performed better when the word problems were presented in their native language. (CW)

Examined are the sex differences in mathematics achievement from a cross-cultural perspective using the data of the Second International Mathematics Study. The overall sex differences in geometry and measurement areas are reported. It was found that differences among countries were greater than sex differences. (YP)