Recent studies are quoted as indicating that Japanese students are superior to American students in actual achievement in mathematics, but there is conflicting evidence as to whether the Japanese are intellectually superior. Several possible reasons for Japanese superiority are suggested, and a need for improvement in America is noted. (MP)

Uses fourth-grade classes (N=94) from four separate rural schools to measure increases in simultaneous and successive processing due to an intervention program to improve simultaneous processing in spelling, arithmetic, and reading used on two experimental classes. Individual marker tests show significant change, as do reading and arithmetic…

This study was designed to identify those females who are predicted to fall substantially below their male counterparts in mathematical participation and performance (female potential underachievers) and who are most in need of intervention procedures early in their college career. (Author/CE)

Discusses how undergraduate psychology programs can contribute to a good, general education. Programs can reinforce intellectual skills, such as a sense of history, the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and the ability to think quantitatively. The educational factors influencing sex differences in mathematical ability are…

First grade students were administered a screening battery that included the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Bender Gestalt Test, and the Visual Memory Technique. Stepwise regression equations revealed that the Bender Gestalt Test significantly increased the predictive power of the test battery. (FL)

DeCharms conceptualized a classroom environment, called an origin climate, in which teachers motivate students by encouraging goal-setting, personal responsibility and self confidence. In this study of eighth- and eleventh-grade math classes, attributed responsibility and grades positively correlated with pupils' perceptions of their classroom as…

A principal factor analysis was performed on a matrix of correlations amoung measures of field independence, intelligence, and achievement in reading and mathematics. Factors of general intelligence and verbal ability were identified. Field independence shared a substantial amount of variance with general intellectual ability. (Author/SJL)

The effect of programed tutoring in mathematics on achievement of kindergarten and first-grade children was investigated. Significant differences favoring the Programed Math Tutorial groups were found in all three field studies. (Author/MH)

The effects of recent changes on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) on mathematics performance are being studied using data from 1993 and later. Early results show a relative gain for women in the verbal area but not in mathematics. Expected trends, including an effect from increased calculator use, are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses how, despite changes in mathematics education, African American students continue to perform poorly in school mathematics. Speculates on possible reasons for this including a lack of continuity between students' home language and the perceived "precision" of mathematics, and the possibility that the content of school…

Studied the relationship between gender and mathematical problem solving in 83 male and 76 female high achieving Canadian 12-year-olds. Gender differences were found on the Canadian Test of Basic Skills but not on the GAUSS assessment. Implications for the discussion of the origin of gender differences in mathematics are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses the teaching of "big ideas" in mathematics in an environment that accommodates special learning differences. With multiple approaches that capitalize on the learning differences of students, those with special needs can respond within their specific limitations and succeed at levels previously considered beyond their reach. (SLD)

Differential item functioning for female-male and black-white groups and two samples of white males who differed in mathematical training were studied using data from 104 items from the Graduate Record Examination. Verbal properties of items were associated with differential performance of men and women but not of blacks and whites. (SLD)

Examines Australian students' conceptions of ordering decimals. Fifty secondary students studied over 12 months showed little change in their misconceptions. Whole number misconceptions are important in earlier years but disappear with time. The fraction misconception persists however, being displayed by approximately 20% of year 10 students. The…

Several measures of fraction knowledge were developed and administered to 540 fifth-grade students in 22 classrooms. Students were asked to represent their conceptual knowledge in several task contexts and formats. Level of representational knowledge predicted performance on problem solving, justification, and explanation tasks. The assessments…