The factor structure of the "KeyMath--Revised Normative Update" (KMR-NU) "Form A" was analyzed using data from a sample of 130 students. The KMR-NU is composed of 13 subtests that are purported to measure three important aspects of math ability: Basic Concepts, Operations, and Applications. A confirmatory factor analysis…

Algebraic reasoning skills can be enhanced by building connections among symbolic, tabular, and graphical representations. But how do classroom teachers change traditional teaching practices to foster the use of different representational forms? This article explores how I learned to incorporate representational fluency in teaching and assessment.…

We describe the development of a course to teach modeling and mathematical analysis skills to students of biology and to teach biology to students with strong backgrounds in mathematics, physics, or engineering. The two groups of students have different ways of learning material and often have strong negative feelings toward the area of knowledge…

This submission contains the Proceedings of the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG), held at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland. The CMESG is a group of mathematicians and mathematics educators who meet annually to discuss mathematics education issues at all levels of learning.…

Discusses the modelling of library circulation systems. (PF)

Bayesian techniques were developed for approximating the joint and marginal distributions of universe scores in single-facit-mixed-model designs with unknown covariance structure. Empirical results indicate that when compared with Cronbach's estimates, marginal means obtained through this procedure are substantially better predictors of subsequent…

When a linear structural equation model results in nonlinear procedures for solution, multiple (but finite) sets of solutions may be possible, even with population data. An example of a three-variable feedback system is given in which two sets of solutions may be generated. (Author/CTM)

One of the more surprising findings in the information sciences is the recurrence of a small number of frequency distributions. In this paper, these distributions are described, and a point of view is adopted that allows us to understand them as being different versions of a single distribution. (Author)

Characteristic curve approaches for linking parameters from the generalized partial credit model were examined for cases in which common (anchor) items are calibrated separately in two groups. Three of these approaches are simple extensions of the test characteristic curve (TCC), item characteristic curve (ICC), and operating characteristic curve…

Mathematical models in which operators are used are described. (DB)

A model for the utility of gambling that is based on Von Neumann-Morgenstern utility theory is proposed and analyzed. Aspects of the utility of gambling are noted, and comparisons are made to standard concepts of risk attitudes. (Author/JKS)

The use of these three model selection information criteria for latent class models was studied for nonnested models: (1) Akaike's information criterion (H. Akaike, 1973) (AIC); (2) the Schwarz information (G. Schwarz, 1978) (SIC) criterion; and (3) the Bozdogan version of the AIC (CAIC) (H. Bozdogan, 1987). Situations in which each is preferable…

Presents a generalization and improvement for the definition proposed by E. Dzhafarov (2001) for selectiveness in the dependence of several random variables on several (sets of) external factors. This generalization links the notion of selective influence with that of conditional independence. (SLD)

Explored the use of additive tree models to represent set-symmetric distances for feature arrangements in set-theoretic or feature models. Studied arrangements of feature sets that have been proposed to represent qualitative and quantitative variation among objects in situations in which feature structures are defined in various ways. (SLD)

Recent attempts have been made to find a robust method for comparing the variances of "J" dependent random variables. However, these procedures can give unsatisfactory results. Several new procedures that are derived heuristically are examined. The most effective method is based on the statistic derived by D. Quade. (TJH)