Previous research (e.g., Woodward & Baxter, 1997) found that Standards-based mathematics teaching provides marginal or no benefits for low achievers, in contrast with positive effects for middle and high ability students. A randomized quasi-experiment in 52 Canadian schools found that low achieving grade 7 and 8 students who received support…

Algebra word problems were analyzed in terms of the information integration tasks that are required to solve the problems. These tasks were classified into three levels: value assignment, value derivation, and equation construction. Novices (35 first year algebra students) and experts (13 analytic geometry students) were compared on the proportion…

The performance of 60 fourth form pupils who had been taught to solve algebraic equations by the algorithmic or flow chart method was studied. A sizeable number of pupils were not using the flow chart method. Other types of errors are noted. (MNS)

On the Australian Mathematics Competition, boys responded correctly to more questions than did girls, but this difference came largely from a handful of questions. Responses to questions where sex differences occurred are discussed. (MNS)

In this study, 35 students in two sections of a second remedial mathematics course for technical majors were given lectures with and without intentional errors. Achievement in the non-error group was higher, but evaluation scores for teachers making errors were higher. (MNS)

This study involved 179 9-year-olds and 352 13-year-olds in New Zealand. Four addition and four subtraction tasks were set to ascertain students' ability to use the number line. Comparison of these data with results from the national assessment in the United States are given. (MNS)

The informal subtraction strategies that children develop are discussed in detail, with the role of the counting-down strategy described. Problems and remedies for difficulties caused by counting backward and the double count are also presented. (MNS)

Results from a British study on Strategies and Errors in Secondary Mathematics are considered. Students' views of algebra and their difficulties are summarized, with some suggestions for teachers. (MNS)

Seven graduate students in a seminar on classroom computing received instruction in LOGO programming. Programming protocols were collected periodically and examined for errors and misconceptions; in-depth interviews were conducted in order to understand specific misconceptions better. As novice students transit from instruction to experience in…

Some research about students with learning disabilities that textbook publishers need to consider as they revise problem-solving materials is briefly cited. (MNS)

Analysis of errors children make is modeled both with and without computers. Patterns of thinking are traced for a fifth grader, with the discussion focused on getting clues for remedial instruction by analyzing the dialog. (MNS)

Considered are concept development and errors in using both Logo and BASIC made by 25 prospective teachers in a computer literacy course. Understanding errors that students exhibit in programing may affect the ways mathematics teachers understand the process of learning structured content like mathematics. (MNS)

The contributions of acceptance of misconceptions about mathematics, mathematical self-concept, and arithmetic skills to mathematics anxiety and to statistics course performance were studied in 92 adult students aged 18 to 57 with a median age of 27, (16 males and 76 females). Results showed that acceptance of misconceptions and mathematical…

A brief overview is given of a research project funded to investigate the cause and cure of errors in ratio and proportion, algebra, and fractions. Choosing pertinent information, interviewing students, listing significant features, developing lessons, and testing the materials are considered. (MNS)

A collection of student distortions, represented by student-invented variations of theorems, are presented. They were drawn from examination papers of 17-year-old students in Israel. (MNS)