ERIC Number: ED373051
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1994-Apr
Pages: 21
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
PATTERNS: A Study of the Effects of Integrated Curricula on Young Adolescent Problem-Solving Ability.
Hough, David L.
The goals of this four-phased study were to enhance the quality of educational experience for under-represented (rural, low income, and female) secondary students (N=628), and to increase their participation in mathematics and science courses beginning at the middle school level. Teachers (N=28) were asked to expand their pedagogical content knowledge, improve their student assessment techniques, and develop an integrated program linking mathematics and science to the core curriculum. During Phase 1, a consortium, organized by school districts, Southwest Missouri State University, and area business partners was established. During Phase 2, teams of teachers and consortium staff developed a 4-week interdisciplinary unit titled "PATTERNS." The project was implemented in Phase 3 and the project's effects on students and teachers were evaluated in the final phase. Results indicated: (1) teachers were generally pleased with the unified, consortium process; (2) analysis of pre- and post-test scores suggested that integrated approaches to teaching and learning that focus on formal operations are best suited to young adolescent learners who already possess some higher order thinking skills; and (3) students expressed interest and excitement in the unit. Some suggestions for further research, a teacher questionnaire, and six statistical tables complete the document. (LL)
Descriptors: Adolescent Development, Core Curriculum, Educational Assessment, Females, Inservice Teacher Education, Interdisciplinary Approach, Intermediate Grades, Junior High Schools, Knowledge Level, Low Income Groups, Mathematics Education, Minority Groups, Partnerships in Education, Patterns in Mathematics, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Problem Solving, Rural Education, Science Education, Student Development, Teacher Improvement, Teaching Methods, Team Teaching, Thematic Approach, Thinking Skills
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: Eisenhower Program for Mathematics and Science Education (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education, Jefferson City.
Identifiers - Location: Missouri
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A