This study analyzed the problem-posing tasks in Chinese and U.S. elementary mathematics textbooks. Significant differences were found between the Chinese and U.S. textbooks in the presentation of problem posing activities. By analyzing problem posing in textbooks, we gain insight into how reform ideas are reflected in the mathematics curriculum.…

In this study, we examined the introduction of ratio and proportion concepts in six textbook series from four different regions, China, Japan, Taiwan and U.S. When analyzing the definition of ratio and equal ration as well as the types of ratio and proportion application problems included in each textbook series, we found similarities and…

Suggests ways researchers can use international comparisons to improve student learning, using math performance of U.S. and Chinese sixth-graders on four types of tasks. Chinese students did better on computation; U.S. students excelled at process (open performance) assessment tasks. U.S. kids need to develop symbolic and algebraic thinking. (MLH)

Cross-national studies in mathematics have consistently reported that U.S. students do not perform as well as Asian students on tasks requiring the application of mathematical knowledge and skills routinely learned in school. Recent studies have shown, however, that for tasks assessing relatively novel and complex problem solving, performance…