The objectives of this project were to construct two sets of balanced repeated replication (BRR) weights for two National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) sets of weights: one based on the third follow-up survey done in 1994 (NELS88:94); and the second based on the fourth follow-up survey done in 2000 (NELS88:2000). These weights are…

This critique discusses Gagne's position that students should understand how to mathematize a concrete situation and validate a solution but need not understand how a solution is derived. Reconciling his views with those of mathematics educators and raising questions are both included. (MNS)

Gagne's reply to critiques by Wachsmuth and by Steffe and Blake notes that their approaches are from different points of view. He urges that mathematics educators examine critically the view that understanding involves some aspects of the structure of mathematics. (MNS)

This study is an examination of developmental changes in children's use of pointing gestures to achieve an accurate count. Based on the data gathered, it is argued that the functional relation between the recitation of number names and children's pointing gestures in counting changes over the course of development. (Author/AL)

The importance of computational skill for answering items in the quantitative thinking subtest of the Iowa Tests of Educational Development was investigated. Results show that computational skill is not a major factor contributing to the examinee's score on the subtest. (Author/GK)

The teaching of technology in the early years and, in particular, in the first and second year architectural design studios, is discussed. Technology implies performance, which may be measured in nonvisual ways, and implies the application of scientific principles to the building design process. (MLW)

Typical instruction of the division algorithm fails to justify why one brings down a number during the process. The construction and use of an aid is described which can be used to help explain the process of division to students. The aid emphasizes place-value aspects. (MP)

A series of well-defined steps is given for solving titrimetric problems, based on the mole concept. An example is given, including calculations from the first step to the last. (SA)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has completed its second mathematical assessment. This article focuses on the results from the second assessment of 9 year olds and 13 year olds; major results of the content areas are summarized and examples of the data are given to support the conclusions. (Author/MK) Aspect of National…

Drill activities for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that are derived from the history of mathematics are suggested. (MK)

Activities that can be used for maintenance of computational skills and can lead to the discovery of a pattern verifiable by an algebraic procedure are noted. The language of algebra is used in nonroutine settings, with several challenges for further exploration. (MP)

This study investigated the relationship between several Piagetian abilities and an information processing capacity, and first-grade children's performance on verbal addition and subtraction problems. Results pointed to a sometimes small but consistent relationship between possession of a cognitive ability and solving an arithmetic problem. (MP)

Ways to make a discussion of the commutative properties of addition and multiplication more interesting to students are reviewed. An alternative promoted is a transposition-of-digits property, seen as useful in a number of instructional situations. The proposed investigation could be structured around calculator use. (MP)

Presents a science project involving the production, transportation, handling and preparation of food for human consumption. Calculations of caloric value of the food intake and the energy costs of cooking are included. (Author/SA)