Mixed results for U.S. adults on the First International Adult Literacy Survey reveal the worthlessness of posting international test scores without considering cultural, social, and economic contexts. In the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, U.S. eighth-graders' performance was average, but fourth-graders' results were…

This study sought to ascertain children's perceptions of the value and usefulness of mathematics. Children were interviewed with open-ended and structured questions about the uses of mathematics. Findings indicated that children at the kindergarten through third-grade levels are positive about mathematics and their abilities to do mathematics.…

Twenty elementary-grade boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 20 nondisabled boys worked on an arithmetic task during either high stimulation (music), low stimulation (speech), and no stimulation (silence). Although nondisabled children performed similarly under all three auditory conditions, the children with ADHD did somewhat…

Purposeful sampling was used to select six English-Korean bilingual students to investigate language difficulties and cognitive processes in solving mathematics word problems. These six case studies revealed distinct patterns of difficulties in solving problems written in English and Korean, especially for students in transition stage. (Author/KMC)

An evaluation of a Canadian program that infused the arts throughout the elementary curriculum reviewed test scores of 7,000 students in Grades 1-6 and surveyed teachers, students, administrators, artists, and parents. Findings indicate that involvement in the arts improved mathematical computation scores, contributed to student motivation, and…

This study examined effects of video-based, anchored instruction and applied problems on the ability of 11 low-achieving (LA) and 26 average-achieving (AA) eighth graders to solve computation and word problems. Performance for both groups was higher during anchored instruction than during baseline, but no differences were found between instruction…

Examines the consequences of teachers' collegial social relations for high school students' mathematics and science achievement. Uses data that focused on 3,000 subjects in a national sample of public high schools (n=52). Finds that when department faculties form collegial foci the effects of their instructional practices on students' achievement…

Examined children's mathematical competencies between ages 7 and 9. Found no differences in developmental rate between children with math difficulties only (MD), math and reading difficulties (MD-RD), reading difficulties only (RD), and normal math/reading achievement (NA). Found that at end of Grade 3, MD group performed better than MD-RD group…

Analyzes the current state of mathematics assessment as applied to individuals with learning disabilities. An overview of the development of mathematics assessment is provided and specific strategies for conducting math evaluations are described, including portfolios, criterion-referenced tests, curriculum-based measurement, observations, and…

This study examined the interaction effect of teachers' mathematics preparation and the thinking level of mathematics problems on student performance. Achievement scores of students whose teachers differed on level of mathematics preparation indicated that students performed better on higher level thinking tasks when teachers had advanced…

IMPROVE, a method for teaching mathematics in heterogeneous classrooms based on social cognition theories, was developed and tested in studies involving 247 and 265 seventh graders. IMPROVE uses metacognitive activities, peer interaction, and feedback-corrective enrichment. Results of both studies showed that IMPROVE students significantly…

Describes how two low-achieving, high-poverty school districts raised the test scores of their students. The El Centro school district's inquiry-science approach raised elementary science test scores, as well as mathematics and reading scores. Twin Falls improved test scores by adopting the Standardized Timed Curriculum, which involved components…

Specific teaching strategies for helping talented girls in mathematics are discussed. These include: creating a supportive learning environment; providing single-sex learning opportunities in mathematics and appealing to the strengths of females as motivators; using activities that are relevant to girls; creating a challenging curriculum; and…

Sex differences in the development of verbal and mathematics constructs were examined using data from the High School and Beyond study (N=5,000). The results suggest that stereotyped sex differences favoring boys in mathematics and girls in verbal areas are diminishing and demonstrate the content specificity of academic effects. (SLD)

Discusses the differences between mathematical problem solving typically used in the classroom and problem solving that is a part of everyday situations out of school. Suggests some teaching methods to align classroom instruction with the real world. Seventeen references are listed. (YP)