Details a study that investigated the correlation between attitude toward mathematics learning and mathematics achievement. (FL)

Forty-five teachers of educable mentally retarded (EMR) students and 34 first-grade teachers rated their students' mathematical abilities on a seven-point scale. The EMR teachers rated their students significantly lower than did first-grade teachers, although they performed comparably on the Peabody Mathematics Readiness Test. (Author/LC)

Data indicated that high percentages of fifth- through eighth-grade low achievers had high algorithm confidence for the operations of addition, subtraction, and multiplication. A substantial proportion in each grade expressed a low degree of confidence in their computational method for division. (CM)

Offers a definition of computational estimation and discusses the poor performance of most pupils on tests or exercises measuring this skill. Several suggestions are offered for teaching computational estimates. Difficulties associated with measuring estimation skills are discussed, and some practical ideas are proposed for testing computational…

Studies of student performance on entrance examinations and in high school and college courses are reviewed, and the validity of entrance examinations is studied. Scores tend to underpredict grades of females relative to those of males in mathematics courses. Possible explanations and the reform of mathematics education are discussed. (SLD)

Despite considerable documentation and implementation of block scheduling, there is little evidence that it achieves an increase in student understanding of subject material. Field research that examined seventh-grade math achievement scores in block scheduled and regular schools showed that none of the anticipated results were realized regarding…

A study compared the performance of 66 New Zealand children (ages 9-12) on a published problem-solving test and the Progressive Achievement Test (PAT). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that, independent of any chosen percentile, the PAT's accuracy at identifying mathematically gifted children was only 78%. (Contains references.)…

Investigates the effects of instructional environment on students' conceptual understanding and procedural knowledge of calculus. Uses multiple achievement measures to determine the degree to which students from different instructional environments had mastered the concepts and procedures inherent to first semester calculus. Indicates no…

Problems in using comparative data from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study include the following: inadequate funding of the research; unique cultural factors; questionable sampling procedures; noncomparative curricula; irregularities in test administration; and student preparation for tests. Results do not identify the root…

Forty-three students (ages 16-17) gifted in physics/mathematics were compared with 34 typical students to investigate the cognitive experience of gifted individuals. Results found the gifted students had different representations of reality and the future, more complex and rich conceptual representations, and more developed intellectual control.…

Data from national samples from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 were used to study gender differences in mathematics achievement. Gender differences were not found when total group means were compared, but noteworthy differences favoring males were found at the high end of the score distributions. (SLD)

Provides an annotated list of resources to aid in teaching mathematics, including Web site addresses for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, and the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, United Kingdom. (NB)

Explored the link between classroom practices and student academic performance by applying multilevel modeling to the 1996 National Assessment of Educational Progress in mathematics. Findings show that the effects of classroom practices, when added to other teacher characteristics, are comparable in size to those of student background, suggesting…

Examines the accuracy of parents' assessment of their children's mathematics performance and how this relates to the time parents spend on children's homework. Results reveal that the time parents spent helping their children with mathematics homework was unrelated to children's mathematics performance, parents' predictions of their children's…

Presents key 1988-89 school statistics and highlights major educational trends (like the school choice controversy). Topics include leadership profiles; U.S. students' poor showing on international math and science assessments; school facilities construction problems and issues; standard measures such as test scores and dropout rates; and state…