This paper examines the educational results of the reunification of East and West Germany. Specifically, it discusses what happened to students' self-concept when the East German system, which was highly standardized, was combined with the West German schools, which were highly differentiated and based on achievement. To study this result,…

The purpose of this study was to determine if a single dimension of opportunity to learn (OTL) could be identified using four selected components of teachers', students', schools', and classrooms' characteristics, and to determine if each of the four components of OTL was related to mathematics achievement as measured by the results of the June…

The findings of this study support the positive effect of constructivist learning practices, specifically on emphasis on problem solving strategies and their effect on student mathematics achievement. The results also suggest that setting, certification, teaching experience, gender, and minority status are factors related to the use of…

This report focuses on standards for the teaching and learning of algebra in the state of Mississippi. It contains sections on interpreting the Mississippi subject area score reports, an overview of the Mississippi Algebra I curriculum, suggested test strategies, and additional teaching and learning strategies with sample assessment items. (DDR)

This report compares the relative effectiveness of education systems across the developed world. Data come from the Programme for International Student Assessment, Trends in International Maths and Science Study, and the International Adult Literacy Survey. Overall, educational performance in some OECD countries is consistently better than others.…

This study attempted to identify school district factors that contributed to variation in aggregate levels of student achievement in reading and mathematics. A number of independent variables were used to attempt to identify district level factors that impacted aggregate levels of student achievement. These included measures of pupil-teacher…

Diagnostic analyses were conducted on data from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study second population (TIMSS-R; 1999) from the United States, Korea, and the Czech Republic in terms of test item attributes (i.e., content, processing skills, and item format) and inferred students' knowledge. The Rule Space model (K. Tatsuoka, 1998)…

The assessment of student achievement in mathematics is discussed. Different approaches should be used to ascertain student achievement of objectives in the mathematics curriculum. Some methods are subjective, such as rating scales, and these can be very useful. Among more objective approaches is the use of standardized tests. There is a number of…

This paper describes the Milwaukee Public Schools' involvement in Equity 2000, a standards-based reform initiative to enhance mathematics education and achievement among students of color, thereby increasing their likelihood of college enrollment and completion. The study highlights efforts to support and sustain a key component of Equity 2000:…

This paper is based on research work carried out in the Foundation Course in Mathematics at Goldsmiths College, University of London. The theme of the investigation was to investigate the hidden faces of cubes placed on a table. In order to do this, the following investigational teaching styles and learning strategies were adopted: investigate…

The intent of this study is to determine whether or not teaching students how to use available calculators can improve their mathematics test scores. The study involved 89 seventh and eighth grade students. These students were randomly divided into three separate groups which included two experimental groups and the control group. The control…

Focus of these proceedings is placed on three strands: teaching and learning, policy, and professional development. Following the opening comments, "Charge to Mathematics Educators: What We Want in Mathematics Classrooms" (Margaret B. Cozzens), individual presentations include: "It Doesn't Add Up: African American Students'…

The need for a mathematics placement test was acknowledged because a number of students registered in introductory algebra (Math 110) were struggling with problems involving only arithmetic operations. A placement test was selected with the intention to effectively detect students with arithmetic deficiencies and place them in a remedial…

The effects of a nearly complete standards-based system in mathematics were evaluated. The Pittsburgh Public School system, Pennsylvania, has adopted a standards-based system that has been largely put into place between 1992 and 1998. The program includes content and performance standards, standards-based assessments, standards-based instructional…

The mathematics achievement and mathematics attitudes of eighth-grade female students attending independent coeducational middle schools were compared with those of students in independent all-girls middle schools. Participants were 467 8th-grade girls from 10 all girls middle schools, 208 girls from 10 independent coeducational middle schools,…