This study explored the relationship between traditional item difficulty and cognitive complexity as measured by response time. Rural students (n=43) responded to computer-based tests of the Individualized Study by Technology General Mathematics Course developed by Alaska's Department of Education. Results indicated that mean response times were…

Four studies involving 45 subjects found that children (ages 9-14) with nonverbal learning disabilities syndrome exhibited specific patterns of impairment in mechanical arithmetic and in psychosocial functioning, whereas children with poor performance in reading and spelling exhibited patterns of academic deficits (including arithmetic), but not…

Describes the processes and techniques used to assist a suburban, lower-middle socioeconomic community's school system plan strategies to improve its students' proficiency test scores. Techniques included content analyses of the system's textbooks, the Graded Course of Study, and standardized tests for grades four, six, and eight in comparison…

Analysis of data on grade 11 students from the 1985-86 National Assessment of Educational Progress indicates that minority students are substantially disadvantaged in mathematics, and that students of all races score low enough to jeopardize future United States leadership in science and technology. (Author/MSE)

A structural model of mathematics achievement was tested with 117 male and 108 female Canadian high school seniors, examining the role of self-efficacy as a mediator between mathematics attitudes and achievement. The postulated model for similarly specified parameters was a good fit to data for both males and females. (SLD)

Responds to the most commonly asked questions and criticisms regarding the Third International Mathematics and Science Study's assessment of students at the end of secondary school. Answers cover differences in age and grade levels, differences in enrollment rates, definitions of the U.S. advanced mathematics population, unbelievable numbers,…

Tests predictions that students with high levels of "intergenerational closure" (whose parents know many of their friends' parents) will do better academically than those who do not. Finds that closure is positively associated with mathematics achievement, but not significantly associated with 12th-grade grades; closure is negatively…

Examines one aspect of the cognitive development of preservice education students, the ability to utilize different modes of mental representation. Finds associations between the level of mathematics experience and both the ability to utilize three different modes of mental representation (enactive, visual, and verbal) and the overall use of…

Focuses on African-American students' math and reading achievement in a Spanish-English two-way immersion program, from grade 1 to grade 4. Shows African-American students perform significantly lower than do majority White students on achievement tests at all grades. There is no significant difference between the two ethnic groups in Spanish…

Investigates the relationship between mathematical achievement and the ratio of boys to girls in a sample of third-grade Norwegian elementary school students. States that belonging to classes with a numerical majority of boys or girls did not affect the achievement of either gender. Opposes the single-sexing of mathematics teaching. (27 citations)…

Describes the methods and preliminary findings of the Videotape Classroom Study, a video survey of eighth-grade mathematics lessons in Germany, Japan, and the United States. Part of the Third International Mathematics and Science study, this research project is the first study of videotaped records from national probability samples. (SLD)

Examined whether 11th-grade girls and boys enrolled in advanced mathematics courses nationwide were socialized in similar ways, using Campbell's differential socialization paradigm. Results uncovered a gender gap favoring boys. Self-imposed pressure and persistence had important direct effects on achievement. Self-concept had important direct…

Using linear modeling, the Prospects dataset was employed to examine effects of instructional and school organizational characteristics on first- and third-graders' math and reading achievement. Results supported environmental and interactive instructional approaches, but not a coupling (coordination) approach. Collegiality, support for…

America must focus on educating its population according to its own "whole-child" standards and prioritize education funding. The "American Way" involves watching TV, participating in organized sports, and allowing teens to work. It would be hard to make necessary social concessions to meet higher standards. (Contains 20…

Examines the between-teacher differences in students' mathematics progress in two studies in London (England), one involving 776 Year 1 students and the other involving 22 schools and 28 teachers. The more of the mathematics curriculum teachers covered, the greater the progress made by students. (SLD)