Discusses how undergraduate psychology programs can contribute to a good, general education. Programs can reinforce intellectual skills, such as a sense of history, the ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and the ability to think quantitatively. The educational factors influencing sex differences in mathematical ability are…

First grade students were administered a screening battery that included the Otis-Lennon Mental Ability Test, the Metropolitan Readiness Test, the Bender Gestalt Test, and the Visual Memory Technique. Stepwise regression equations revealed that the Bender Gestalt Test significantly increased the predictive power of the test battery. (FL)

DeCharms conceptualized a classroom environment, called an origin climate, in which teachers motivate students by encouraging goal-setting, personal responsibility and self confidence. In this study of eighth- and eleventh-grade math classes, attributed responsibility and grades positively correlated with pupils' perceptions of their classroom as…

A principal factor analysis was performed on a matrix of correlations amoung measures of field independence, intelligence, and achievement in reading and mathematics. Factors of general intelligence and verbal ability were identified. Field independence shared a substantial amount of variance with general intellectual ability. (Author/SJL)

The effect of programed tutoring in mathematics on achievement of kindergarten and first-grade children was investigated. Significant differences favoring the Programed Math Tutorial groups were found in all three field studies. (Author/MH)

The effects of recent changes on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) on mathematics performance are being studied using data from 1993 and later. Early results show a relative gain for women in the verbal area but not in mathematics. Expected trends, including an effect from increased calculator use, are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses how, despite changes in mathematics education, African American students continue to perform poorly in school mathematics. Speculates on possible reasons for this including a lack of continuity between students' home language and the perceived "precision" of mathematics, and the possibility that the content of school…

Studied the relationship between gender and mathematical problem solving in 83 male and 76 female high achieving Canadian 12-year-olds. Gender differences were found on the Canadian Test of Basic Skills but not on the GAUSS assessment. Implications for the discussion of the origin of gender differences in mathematics are discussed. (SLD)

Discusses the teaching of "big ideas" in mathematics in an environment that accommodates special learning differences. With multiple approaches that capitalize on the learning differences of students, those with special needs can respond within their specific limitations and succeed at levels previously considered beyond their reach. (SLD)

Differential item functioning for female-male and black-white groups and two samples of white males who differed in mathematical training were studied using data from 104 items from the Graduate Record Examination. Verbal properties of items were associated with differential performance of men and women but not of blacks and whites. (SLD)

Examines Australian students' conceptions of ordering decimals. Fifty secondary students studied over 12 months showed little change in their misconceptions. Whole number misconceptions are important in earlier years but disappear with time. The fraction misconception persists however, being displayed by approximately 20% of year 10 students. The…

Several measures of fraction knowledge were developed and administered to 540 fifth-grade students in 22 classrooms. Students were asked to represent their conceptual knowledge in several task contexts and formats. Level of representational knowledge predicted performance on problem solving, justification, and explanation tasks. The assessments…

A teaching experiment involving 30 third graders investigated the transformation of their concepts of numbers. Observations of their notations and problem-solving procedures show development that progresses from a focus on states to a type of reasoning in which changes become quantifiable "objects of awareness." (SLD)

Using data on applicants to an Israeli university, researchers examined whether high school course-taking patterns affected gender segregation in higher education. Women were underrepresented among applicants to mathematics-related studies. Mathematical background in high school effectively narrowed the gender gap in applying to selective and…

This study involved 14 students (ages 6-12) with developmental disabilities in inclusive classrooms, their 324 typical classmates, and 221 typical students in noninclusive classes. Students with developmental disabilities made gains in adaptive behavior. The academic performance of the typical students in reading/language arts and mathematics did…