A study of differences in the problem-solving skills of Black, Anglo, and Chicano adolescents from rural Texas found that: (1) Reading achievement played a major role in problem-solving; and (2) No significant sex or ethnic differences were revealed. (PP)

Describes a field study in which the mathematics portion of the PLATO Basic Skills Learning System was used in remedial courses for high school and adult education students at three Florida high schools. Analysis shows that the PLATO system is effective and cost-efficient. (JJD)

Sex differences in ability and achievement appear to be diminishing, but considerable controversy exists about their role in mathematics achievement. Standardized test data on reading and mathematics achievement by sex and age are analyzed. Possible effects of biological factors are also discussed, along with information about educational and…

The McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) appears to be an effective predictor of school achievement for 31 English-speaking second-grade Mexican-American children. High Pearson product-moment correlations were obtained between MSCA and the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills. (Author/PN)

The relationship between interaction and achievement in cooperative small groups was studied in four junior high school mathematics classrooms. The interaction variable that related most strongly to achievement was asking a question and receiving no response; this type of interaction was negatively related to achievement. (Author/BW)

To assess the impact of parents on children's achievement, self-concept, and related beliefs, extensive questionnaires measuring attitudes and beliefs regarding mathematics achievement were administered to children in grades 5 through 11 and their parents. The potential influence of parents both as role models and as expectancy socializers was…

One of two articles on academic achievement, this article discusses the performance of U.S. students on mathematics and science achievement tests compared to students in other countries. Recent data show they are performing better. This commentary examines the importance of meeting certain research conditions before drawing conclusions about…

The use of achievement levels and anchor points in press reports of the 1990 National Assessment of Educational Progress mathematics assessment was studied. In a review of 41 articles, widespread oversimplification and frequent misinterpretations were found, sometimes stemming from standards-based reporting. Implications for future standards-based…

Mixed results for U.S. adults on the First International Adult Literacy Survey reveal the worthlessness of posting international test scores without considering cultural, social, and economic contexts. In the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, U.S. eighth-graders' performance was average, but fourth-graders' results were…

This study sought to ascertain children's perceptions of the value and usefulness of mathematics. Children were interviewed with open-ended and structured questions about the uses of mathematics. Findings indicated that children at the kindergarten through third-grade levels are positive about mathematics and their abilities to do mathematics.…

Twenty elementary-grade boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 20 nondisabled boys worked on an arithmetic task during either high stimulation (music), low stimulation (speech), and no stimulation (silence). Although nondisabled children performed similarly under all three auditory conditions, the children with ADHD did somewhat…

Purposeful sampling was used to select six English-Korean bilingual students to investigate language difficulties and cognitive processes in solving mathematics word problems. These six case studies revealed distinct patterns of difficulties in solving problems written in English and Korean, especially for students in transition stage. (Author/KMC)

An evaluation of a Canadian program that infused the arts throughout the elementary curriculum reviewed test scores of 7,000 students in Grades 1-6 and surveyed teachers, students, administrators, artists, and parents. Findings indicate that involvement in the arts improved mathematical computation scores, contributed to student motivation, and…

This study examined effects of video-based, anchored instruction and applied problems on the ability of 11 low-achieving (LA) and 26 average-achieving (AA) eighth graders to solve computation and word problems. Performance for both groups was higher during anchored instruction than during baseline, but no differences were found between instruction…

Examines the consequences of teachers' collegial social relations for high school students' mathematics and science achievement. Uses data that focused on 3,000 subjects in a national sample of public high schools (n=52). Finds that when department faculties form collegial foci the effects of their instructional practices on students' achievement…