Attitudes toward mathematics and attitudes toward computers were examined for 1,018 grade 8 students and 800 grade 12 students. The female students were more likely than the male students to associate negative attitudes toward mathematics with negative attitudes toward computers. Participation in an eighth-grade mathematics course with a computer…

Four types of computational estimation were explored in relation to other mathematical skills and sex differences with 309 eighth graders. Open-ended estimation was the most difficult, followed by estimation relative to a reference number and estimation within an order of magnitude. (MNS)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Groups of Four" program, examining the impact of the cooperative learning strategy on students' achievement in mathematical problem solving. Effects of three specific independent variables in the program were examined in terms of gender, group assignment, and ability,…

Analysis of 19 language features in impromptu essays written by 96 students (half males, half females) from grades 4, 8, and 12 enabled researchers to identify the gender of the writer 84-87 percent of the time. Further analyses established a relationship between this "gender-linked language effect" and subjective attributional ratings by…

Autonomous Learning Behavior (ALB) as mediators between internal and external influences and performance on high level cognitive tasks was proposed as a possible explanation for gender-related differences in mathematics. This study developed a measure of ALB by drawing on teachers' working knowledge and the literature on problem-solving, including…

For 139 students, algebra prognosis test scores and performance in seventh-grade mathematics best predicted algebra grades in grade eight, whereas IQ, problem solving, and prognosis scores best predicted achievement on a standardized algebra test. No sex difference in achievement scores was found, but girls attained higher percentage grades. (MNS)

Examined are the sex differences in mathematics achievement from a cross-cultural perspective using the data of the Second International Mathematics Study. The overall sex differences in geometry and measurement areas are reported. It was found that differences among countries were greater than sex differences. (YP)

Results of this study indicate that students' (N=155) self-concepts and gender role perceptions were related to both achievement and attitudes toward science, but more related to attitudes than achievement. In addition, these relationships became more pronounced for students as they matured from seventh to eighth graders. (Author/JN)

Examined the relationship of attitude toward science, spatial ability, mathematical ability, and scientific personality (measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) on the achievement of eighth-grade students (N=98). One finding noted is that males and females with science grades of C or D had the most characteristics not associated with science.…

Investigates patterns of sex differences for responses to problems across the countries involved in the Second International Mathematics Study. Reports no substantial gender effects on any of the content areas using the median polishing method. (YP)

Compares relative test anxiety of urban seventh- and eighth-grade students in North America and Chile. Finds the following: high-SES students from both cultures had lower test anxiety than low-SES students; Chileans had higher test anxiety than North Americans; low-SES females in both cultures had more test anxiety than low-SES males, but high-SES…

Investigated differences between middle school and junior high instructional strategies and the effects on adolescent attitude toward science in school and science achievement (n=570) and evaluated variations within grade level, gender, race, general ability, and socioeconomic group. Discusses results in terms of effectively implementing changes…

Learner and program control of content review within computer assisted instruction (CAI) were studied to determine their effects on the posttest performance and attitudes of eighth grade students. The science-related instructional treatments were completed by 98 students who were blocked by gender and reading ability and randomly assigned to…

The effects of using a microcomputer for electronic research on the achievement and attitudes of eighth-grade boys and girls (N=247) were investigated. The study analyzed three dimensions of student themes, two sets of computer achievement measures, and three attitudinal dimensions for each of three treatment groups. Results showed no unpredicted…

In response to reports that have received widespread attention decrying the failure of science education in the United States to prepare sufficient numbers of scientists, projects have sought to determine what can be done to encourage academically oriented youths to enroll in more science courses in high school and preserve their option of going…