Describes a study in which average eighth graders in an urban junior high school were placed into prealgebra classes normally reserved for high achievers. The average achievers in the prealgebra classes understood mathematical concepts better and enrolled in more advanced mathematics classes during high school, than did their cohorts. (GLR)

Presents four innovative game-oriented activities designed to reinforce computational and place value skills involving whole and rational numbers. The games ask students to use randomly chosen numerals to formulate problems involving given operations or concepts whose responses come closest to target responses. (MDH)

The opinions of 98 Australian educational experts concerning mathematics skills necessary for future numeracy were solicited. The qualitative comments were incorporated into three scenarios reflecting alternative visions for the future: a careful scenario, a futuristic scenario, and a process scenario. (24 references) (MDH)

The paper describes the use of a spreadsheet in a mathematics teacher education course. It shows how the tool can serve as a link between seemingly disconnected mathematical concepts. The didactical triad of using a spreadsheet as an agent, consumer, and amplifier of mathematical activities allows for an extended investigation of simple yet…

This paper contributes to the literature on the effectiveness of schools. The analysis is unique in using data on the minutes of instruction per day in each of four subjects taught in the public elementary schools in Illinois. Few education production function papers have information on the amount of instruction students receive in a given…

The purpose of the NMSBA technical report is to provide users and other interested parties with a general overview of and technical characteristics of the 2006 NMSBA. The 2006 technical report contains the following information: (1) Test development; (2) Scoring procedures; (3) Calibration, scaling, and equating procedures; (4) Standard setting;…

The Denver Public Schools (DPS) provide a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of school segregation within the context of rapid demographic changes and key policy changes. This paper, the first of two reports, focuses on the dynamics of segregation, demographic changes, and implications for graduation rates in the Denver Public Schools. It…

This guide describes 20 learning activities that can be used with elementary school students on the topic of probability and statistics. These activities have been developed using the mathematics laboratory approach. This publication is designed to serve as a stimulant to encourage teachers to open their minds and employ their imagination in…

This issue of the journal contains abstracts and critiques of 11 research reports. Three of the reports concern problem solving; the remainder pertain to the following topics: the impact of secondary schooling and secondary mathematics on student mathematical behavior; figural matrices; computer-video instruction in mathematics; equivalent…

Guidelines concerning the development, supervision, and implementation of seventh and eighth grade mathematics curricula are presented in this document. Section one gives a brief overview of the grades K through six curriculum, providing terminal objectives for grade six. Section two describes traditional tasks in the curriculum for grades seven…

This seventh of 10 blocks of student and teacher materials for a secondary/postsecondary level course in electronic principles comprises one of a number of military-developed curriculum packages selected for adaptation to vocational instruction and curriculum development in a civilian setting. Prerequisites are the previous blocks. This block on…

Computer assisted instruction (CAI) significantly improved the math skills of elementary school children, according to the results of an experiment conducted by the Pasco (Washington) School District. The experiment was designed to determine whether CAI would improve student math performance and whether CAI would improve math performance more than…

This guide emphasizes the areas of elementary level mathematics, architecture, and visual arts and gives secondary emphasis to language arts/English and creative writing. The major goals are to develop an understanding of how the arts can enhance mathematical concepts, to describe mathematical qualities through the application of the arts, and to…

This National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Yearbook shows how NCTM's recommendations for improving mathematics education--contained in the booklet, An Agenda for Action--are being implemented in schools. The 27 articles are grouped under 8 headings, corresponding to the 8 recommendations in the Agenda. The articles apply to all levels…

Developed for use in teaching a two-semester, one-unit course, this course guide is intended to aid the high school instructor in teaching mathematical problem-solving and computational skills to vocational education students. The state-adopted textbook for general mathematics III, "Applied General Mathematics" serves as the major…