To investigate mistakes in the reporting of diagnostic efficiency statistics, all studies of the diagnostic performance of self-report scales in two psychological journals published between 1980 and 1991 were reviewed. Of 26 relevant studies, 9 had an error in calculation of diagnostic efficiency. Implications are discussed. (SLD)

Arguing that cognitive development involves both conceptual and semiotic achievements, the authors emphasize the distinctness of semiotic issues and develop a differentiated appreciation of semiotic aspects of cognition, particularly in elementary mathematics cognition. Semiotic analyses are provided of differences between counting, adding, and…

Investigated gender differences in problem-solving and computational strategies used by 44 boys and 38 girls as they progressed from grades 1 to 3. Found no gender differences in solving number fact, addition/subtraction, or nonroutine problems but strong gender differences in strategies used to solve problems. Discusses the use of invented…

Extends a counting activity described in the April 1997 issue of "The Mathematics Teacher" entitled, "The Pyramid Question: A Problem Solving Adventure." In this activity, students must find all triangles with positive integral sides and a perimeter of 36. Considers triangles with perimeters other than 36 for this activity and…

Provides instructions for 23 mathematics learning activities for young children in early childhood settings. Includes activities for ordering, numeral recognition, counting, number sense and numeration, and a list of suggested music, movement, and book ideas for each area. (KB)

Studied racial and sex differences in mathematics performance among elementary school students using data from the 1996 California Achievement Test in Louisiana for 4,670 fourth graders and 2,542 sixth graders. Results show some superiority in computation for African Americans, with the highest performance by black girls. Whites performed better…

Investigated the long-term influence of a longitudinal calculator awareness approach to numbers on British elementary students' mathematical achievements and attitudes. Teacher and student interviews and student test scores from intervention and nonintervention schools indicated that the curriculum had no substantial long-term influence on…

After years of implementing Interactive Math, many California school districts have bowed to parental pressure and returned to a traditional mathematics curriculum. Reforms are catching on in Texas, Ohio, Arkansas, South Carolina, and New Jersey. The white/minority SAT score gap remains wide. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 1990…

Examines the idea that the arithmetic calculator can act as a cognitive tool, supporting the amplification or reorganization of systems of thought. Examples were found in which use of the calculator helped pupils work with unusual problem representations and adapt solution strategies in which they focused on planning and monitoring computations…

This study extended use of the One-More-Than technique by using a "cents-pile modification"; one-, five-, and ten-dollar bills; and mixed training of all dollar amounts. Three high school students with moderate mental retardation each learned to use the technique to count out nontrained amounts and to make community purchases. (Author/PB)

This article offers guidelines and suggestions for adapting mathematics instruction when teaching students with learning disabilities in the general classroom. Techniques for teaching computational skills, solving algorithms, and problem solving are offered. General techniques include increasing instructional time, varying group size, and using…

Examines current research on brain development, focusing on infants' ability to understand basic numerical concepts and arithmetic operations. Asserts that as the brain undergoes dramatic transformations, it already has a built-in capacity to understand basic numerical concepts. Recommends that parents and professionals engage in activities…

A study investigated whether an instruction designed to facilitate planning would have differential effects depending on specific planning, attention, simultaneous, successive (PASS) cognitive characteristics of 19 students (ages 12-14) with learning disabilities and mild mental impairments. Children with a cognitive weakness in planning improved…

A study examined the effectiveness of an intervention program designed to promote numeracy skills in children with deafness by addressing additive composition, additive reasoning, multiplicative reasoning, and ratio and fractions. The 23 participants in the intervention performed significantly better than 65 controls on a mathematics achievement…

Speeded performance on simple mental addition problems of 6- and 7-year-olds with and without mild mental retardation was modeled from a person perspective and an item perspective, both inferred from Siegler's work. Models from item response theory were used to test hypotheses. Found that all children follow same developmental path in acquiring…