Describes the Algebra Project, which teaches algebra to middle school students and prepares them for college preparatory mathematics. The project includes some of the following elements: (1) a curriculum addressing the conceptual leap from arithmetic to algebra; (2) an experientially based curricular process; (3) high achievement expectations; and…

Described is an alternative way for classroom teachers to assess students' performance in mathematics. The interview process is presented in stages: initiating the interview, the questioning stage, formulating and testing hypotheses, and intervention. (KR)

Examines reliability of seven mathematical abilities tests among Spanish- and English-speaking pre-algebra Hispanic students. Students tested in divergent thinking, general reasoning, field-dependence, math achievement, math prose reading, syllogistic reasoning, and word problems. All tests reliable for Spanish speakers; only four for…

Analyzes the relationships among mathematics achievement levels, income potential, high school aspirations, and the gender segregation of bachelor's degrees. Investigates how gender segregation changed between 1973 and 1983. Concludes that gender segregation is present at the high school and bachelor's levels. Maintains that psychological barriers…

Discusses components of success for students, such as self-confidence, understanding, competence, communication, enthusiasm, significance, and persistence. Discusses components of success for teachers, such as student-centeredness, urgency, commitment, creativity, expectations, surprise, and self-direction. (YP)

Discusses the development of early attitudes to mathematics and how these may account for the differences in the numbers of boys and girls achieving success with mathematics in the secondary school and electing to study mathematics at the senior level. (YP)

The study of the performance of 55 learning-disabled college students on the Raven's Progressive Matrices and other tasks found: (1) a negative correlation between visual-motor skills and written language, (2) a positive correlation between visual organization/memory and mathematics, and (3) a positive correlation between auditory memory and…

Reviews the findings of a Maryland study concerning the effects of gender and race on mathematics achievement. Cites parental and teacher attitudes as major factors in student achievement. Discusses the differences between girls' and boys' performance on standardized tests. (CW)

Examined the impact of a 10-week Saturday, supplemental-educational intervention integrating mathematics, science, language arts, and counseling on minority high school students' (n=51) mathematics achievement and attitude toward science. Data analysis indicated significant positive changes in both dependent variables. (MDH)

Reports on a study of the move away from abstract calculations toward "mathematics in context" among 50 British female secondary school students. Discusses implications of findings in relation to reported female underachievement and disinterest in school mathematics. (CFR)

Explores the attributional orientation of underachieving students in three countries (Japan, China, and the United States). Responses from 738 students reveal that Asian students perceived controllable causes, particularly effort, to play a greater role in performance outcomes than did their American peers. Implications are discussed regarding the…

Shared are personal experiences in the development and implementation of cooperative learning methods in the mathematics classroom. Presented are methods to begin team building, teach social skills, and promote improved learning results. Benefits include greater student participation, interstudent communication, higher-order thinking, and teacher…

Reports the results of five contrasts between small-group learning and a more teacher-centered instructional style employed in junior high, high school, and college mathematics classes. In no case did the small-group class perform more poorly than the one led by a teacher; in one case, measuring long-term retention, the small-group class performed…

Describes the new development of mathematics education in the Peoples Republic of China. Explains changes that happened in the National Curriculum, teaching research, and the progress of our pupils. (Author)

Uses three methods to analyze the intended curriculum in countries participating in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Explains the use of Topic Trace Mapping as a tool to examine the issue of depth versus breadth in the curriculum. Includes three figures illustrating the results of Topic Trace Mapping. (CFR)