A conceptual approach and a set of computer simulations are presented to demonstrate that random measurement error in the pretest does not bias the estimate of the treatment effect in the regression-discontinuity design. Focus is on the case of no interaction between pretest and treatment on posttest. (SLD)

Traditional measures indicating little net change in long-term poverty for children between the late 1960s and the early 1980s mask certain statistical and demographic changes. A rise in female-based households, fewer well-paying jobs for younger workers, and greater dependence on social assistance have offset smaller family sizes and parental…

The kaleidoscope is presented as a suitable topic for a preservice mathematics teacher's first contact with a nontrivial mathematical phenomenon. Included are historical notes on the kaleidoscope, explanation of the inner mechanisms of various kaleidoscope designs, and suggestions for further student investigations. (JJK)

The conventional method of measuring ability--based on items with assumed true parameter values obtained from a pretest--is compared to a Bayesian method that deals with the uncertainties of such items. Data from a 1987 American College Testing Program mathematics test indicate that maximum likelihood/Bayesian techniques underestimate uncertainty.…

A synthetic method of estimating relative annual prevalence of severely mentally disabled (SMD) adults across Ohio's mental health board areas was evaluated. Indirect evidence of accuracy for the method, which relies on local catchment area data and local census data, is provided by comparison with actual SMD adult counts in federal programs. (SLD)

Studied efficiency differences in Finnish senior secondary schools by Data Envelopment Analysis, using four variant models. Average efficiencies in the most extensive models were 82% to 84%. Considering parents' educational level increased average efficiency to 91%. Tobit analysis showed school size did not affect efficiency. Input and output…

Describes "Wyzt's Playground", a fourth grade math multimedia title that emulates and simulates the real-life scenario of building a playground and supports the instruction of mathematics and measures proficiency in five NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) standards. Explains the multimedia production process and the…

This article describes a mathematical model that connects mathematics with social studies. Students use mathematics to model independent versus convoyed ship deployments and sinkings to determine if the British should have convoyed their merchant ships during World War I. During the war, the British admiralty opposed sending merchant ships grouped…

This paper presents three evaluated case studies of the use of design activities in the early years of undergraduate engineering courses. Analyses of academic performance in these activities and in a separate test of understanding were correlated with student perceptions of the activities and with measures of learning style. General student…

A cognitive/metacognitive framework is presented for analysing applications tasks and responses to these. Conditions facilitating or impeding access to such tasks at the upper secondary level were identified using qualitative data analysis techniques within this framework. Strategies employed in exploiting, or overcoming these conditions were…

This report examines New York State's experience with multi-element formulas in budgeting for the State University of New York, and considers some of the obstacles confronting scientific budgeting in a political environment. A specific budgeting formula (the Academic Discipline Model) is examined, its evolution and application discussed, and the…

The possibility of using the grade differential statistic in college admissions decisions is explored. The grade differential statistic is the mean difference between the freshman college grade point average (GPA) and the high school GPA (HSGPA) for freshman college entrants from a particular high school. Rather than being an index of high school…

Meta-analytic methods were used to summarize results of Monte Carlo (MC) studies investigating the robustness of various statistical procedures for testing within-subjects effects in split-plot repeated measures designs. Through a literature review, accessible MC studies were identified, and characteristics (simulation factors) and outcomes (rates…

Issues related to between-class and within-class decomposition of achievement variance and the change of this decomposition over the course of the eighth-grade were examined using the Second International Mathematics Study (SIMS, 1985), a study in which there was a nested or hierarchical data structure of students within classes, within schools,…

Selected examples using the statistical packages Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the Statistical Analysis System (SAS), and BMDP are presented to facilitate their use and encourage appropriate uses in: (1) a hierarchical design; (2) a confounded factorial design; and (3) variance component estimation procedures. To illustrate…