This policy brief takes a close look at the ways in which the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)-1995 and TIMSS-1999 data have helped to inform changes in policy and practice as schools, districts, and states respond to the call for improvement in mathematics and science achievement. This policy brief is based primarily on…

The Urban Systemic Initiatives (USI) program is an effort sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that targets large urban school systems with the goal of sustainable implementation of high-quality, standards-based teaching for the purpose of attaining system-wide increases in students' learning of challenging mathematics and science.…

This paper presents key indicators of educational and employment status for students making the transition from adolescence to early adulthood in selected Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The data that are presented include international comparisons of student achievement, educational attainment, literacy…

This paper describes the various ways in which the SAT has evolved since its introduction in 1926. Some of the modifications have involved changes in the types of questions used to measure verbal and mathematical skills. Other modifications focused on liberalizing time limits to ensure that speed of responding to questions has minimal effect on…

The relationship between classroom experiences and individual differences in expectations for future success in mathematics courses, self-concept of math abilities, and perceptions of the difficulty of math were investigated in an observational study of 17 math classrooms for grades five through nine. (Author/RH)

Two cases of planned curriculum change are examined to illustrate the limits and possibilities of curriculum reform. One case used upgraded mathematics curriculum for low achieving, urban, U.S. secondary students. The other examined a national curricular reform in Scotland where secondary curricula and national examinations were closely aligned.…

Gender differences in scholastic achievement as a function of measurement method were examined by comparing performance of 739 15-year-old boys and 758 15-year-old girls in Irish high schools on multiple-choice and free-response tests of mathematics, Irish, and English achievement. Method-based gender differences are discussed. (SLD)

Describes a study that examined the effect of computer programing experience on the mathematical problem solving achievement of high school students. The variables studied are discussed, including gender, ability, socioeconomic status, prior math experience, and access to a home computer, and a path analysis model is explained. (34 references)…

Presented are 19 abstracts of research papers produced by participants in the Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics' (RECSAM) courses from 1985 to 1987 covering learning and teaching in science and mathematics education. (Author/YP)

To study impact of bilingual education programs on reading and mathematics achievement, 278 Mexican-American seventh and eighth grade students were examined over a three-year period. The effects of the following variables on posttest scores were examined: (1) pretest scores; (2) gender; and (3) group (bilingual or mainstream). (BJV)

Describes a study of third-grade students in Israel that examined the differential effects of cooperative and individual computer-assisted instruction on mathematics achievement, amount of invested mental effort, academic recognition, and social acceptance of high and low achieving students. Theoretical and empirical implications are discussed,…

Constructs related to mathematics achievement in 353 Asian American and non-Asian fourth, fifth, and sixth graders were studied. Results show that Asian Americans differ from non-Asians on several constructs, partly reflecting lower Asian American self-concepts of mathematics ability and their belief that their parents share that conception. (SLD)

Advocates that mathematics education reform in urban schools cannot happen without socioeconomic efforts to lessen poverty in inner cities and protect urban America's youth. The paper argues that the most successful reform initiatives will be holistic in nature and that the covert racism and ethnocentrism in educational materials that…

Presented are assessment techniques to help improve instruction. Included are the formative assessment techniques observation and questioning, diagnostic interviews, and problem-solving-based investigations and the summative assessment technique of performance-based tasks. Examples of these methods are provided together with at-home activities…

Describes and evaluates a peer tutoring program in the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools that provided academic assistance to special needs students who were experiencing difficulty in reading and mathematics in vocational education classes. Objective was to provide individualized instruction and support for disadvantaged, special education, and…