This report presents information from three special studies conducted as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1996 mathematics assessment. It is intended primarily for mathematics educators and others concerned with mathematics education, such as curriculum specialists, teachers, and university faculty in schools of…

Discusses a study to assess the extent of association between measures of adult basic education achievement and selected teacher, student, and program organization variables. Provides descriptive data relative to the reading vocabulary and mathematics computation and achievement. (JOW)

Describes a study which investigated the relationship between level of cognitive development and mathematics performance for college-age males and females. Ninety-four undergraduate educational psychology students were given mathematics and cognitive exams. Findings indicated significant sex differences in mathematical performance but not in…

Presents case study data of low- and high-achieving nine-year olds focusing on construction and analogical transfer of mathematical knowledge during novel problem solving, as reflected in strategies for dealing with isomorphic combinatorial problems presented in hands-on and written form. Results showed that achievement level does not predict…

Reports results of a study of 30 businesses in the Cullman, Alabama area, investigating the entry-level math skills required in each and the deficiencies in math of employees in each business. Finds that local high schools do not provide students with the math education they need to be successful employees of area industries. (SR)

Describes how the introduction of the TI-92 transformed a traditional first semester linear algebra course into a matrix-oriented course that emphasized conceptual understanding, relevant applications, and numerical issues. Indicates an increase in students' overall performance as they found the calculator very useful, believed it helped them…

Asserts that while enrollment in academic courses has increased since "A Nation at Risk" report, academic achievement as measured by national and international mathematics and science exams has remained unchanged. Suggests that divergence between increased enrollment and test scores is due to watered-down curriculum and course materials.…

Describes the need for standards based reform to improve student achievement, examining the Mathematics Achievement Partnership (MAP), which brings together a consortium of states to jointly develop key components of standards-based reform focused on middle school mathematics and culminating with an end-of-eighth-grade assessment. Components…

Study extends research on the interspersal procedure using standardized mathematics subtests with different task demands. Results showed that the interspersal procedure enhanced academic performance on a Mental Computation subtest, but not a Multiplication subtest. Results indicate that the efficacy of the interspersal procedure is affected…

This review analyzes, in the context of current mathematics education reform recommendations, literature related to graphics calculators, including results of some early studies assessing the impact of graphics calculators on the achievement and disposition of secondary and early college students. (25 references) (LZ)

Comparison of 15 English children (mean age 7.5 years) with specific language difficulties and 12 similar children with mathematical difficulties found few differences in their ability to process 2- and 3-digit numbers. Results suggest that a language difficulty may underlie delayed performance in mathematics. (DB)

Clarifies aims and objectives of school algebra, reviews research on students' performance, and suggests curriculum modifications. This article is one of the keynote addresses of the Algebra Working Group of the Seventh International Conference on Mathematical Education held in Quebec City, Canada in August 1992. (26 references) (Author/MKR)

Probit analysis of arithmetic scores from the Young Adult Literacy Assessment Survey (840 males and 1,077 females) found that quantitative literacy skills are a major factor in the likelihood of full-time employment. Low quantitative literacy appears to be associated with the lower probability of employment among young African Americans. (SK)

Linear modeling of data from 591 Iowa secondary students (grade point average, state percentile rank, and Work Keys test scores) revealed disparities in prior academic achievement and Work Keys math scores between students in applied academics and students in traditional academic courses. (SK)

Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) mathematics scores of eighth graders who had received music instruction were compared according to whether the students were given private lessons. Analyses indicate that students who had private lessons for two or more years performed significantly better on the composite mathematics portion of the ITBS than did…