A new system of order analysis, developed by Takeya and called Item Relations Structure Analysis (IRSA), was described and used for examining the structural relations among a set of 24 items on the addition and subtraction of fractions. A diagraph showing 16 chains of items that had discernibly common features was generated by this method, and…

Item banks offer a different approach to test development than that of the more traditional item specification method. This study was designed as an initial comparative investigation in the Area. Fourth grade math and reading tests were developed using both items written from item specifications and items drawn from an existing item bank. Four…

This document focuses on research on the relation between children's use and understanding of counting as a symbol system for number and the development of number conservation concepts. An underlying assumption is that a better match between mathematics curricula and the educational needs of children will be facilitated by learning more about the…

Results of research on the acquisition of counting skills in children is presented. The material, originally published in the Soviet Journal "Questions of Psychology," was deemed an important document that should be translated and made accessible to English readers. The question of how basic, extended processes are…

This is a supplement to a previous collection of expanded abstracts of research with calculators. Eight dissertations are abstracted, to add to the fund of information on the effects of calculators on achievement and learning. The critical commentary prepared by each abstractor pinpoints particular strengths and weaknesses of each study. (MS)

This study examined a selected sample of fourth-grade students who had been previously identified as good or poor problem solvers. The pupils were compared on variables considered as "reference tests" for Verbal, Induction, Numerical, Word Fluency, Memory, Spatial Visualization, and Perceptual Speed abilities. The data were compiled to…

This project involves devising and evaluating a sales tax schedule to meet the specific revenue needs of a hypothetical state in the United States. Conducting this unit involves many mathematical skills in a learning environment familiar to the student. The essential parts of the project consist of student preparation of a tax schedule and class…

Three different computational procedures for equating two forms of a test were applied to a pair of mathematics tests to compare the results of the three procedures. The tests that were being equated were two forms of the SRA Mastery Mathematics Tests. The common, linking test used for equating was the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills, Form S,…

A review of the literature on the use of calculators and computers in instruction is presented. Topics covered include: (1) statements of goals for the instructional use of calculators and computers; (2) position statements; (3) computer manpower supply and demand; (4) a technical overview; (5) calculators in elementary schools; (6) computers in…

This curriculum guide is one of a series of five books published to supply all appropriate information related to the Hewlett-Packard Mathematics Drill and Practice Program for the computer. This text serves as the primary reference source for the program. The content is divided into two sections. A brief explanation of the curriculum structure is…

This is a series of 12 teacher-prepared Learning Activity Packages (LAPs) for General Mathematics 1. Topics covered include using mathematical tools; counting and computing; measurement: whole and fractional numbers; measurement: decimal notation; percent; tables and graphs; introductory algebra; equations and applications; integers; and…

Two studies attempted to clarify the Intellectual Tasks test assessment of number conservation by testing for two possible artifacts due to procedure: (1) Effects of preceding questions on the following test questions, and (2) operations or manipulations of the test materials by the examiner. Forty Mexican-American first and second graders were…

The relative precision of four methods of estimating missing data in principal components analysis was investigated. Artificial data with known characteristics, obtained from Cattell's "Plasmode: 30-10-4-2," was used with one third of the data on half of the variables being systematically eliminated. The four methods of missing data estimation…

This report explores the positive contributions of the minicalculator to basic education. The introduction to the report discusses the basic questions educators ask about the use of the minicalculator. The first section of the report briefly describes uses of the calculator in the classroom (as a time saver, for reinforcement, for motivation, as…

Three worksheets dealing with number triangles are given. Exercises are designed to lead students to discover number patterns within the triangles. (MP)