Designed as an avenue of communication for all mathematics educators concerned with the views, ideas, and experiences pertinent to two-year college teachers and students, this journal presents articles and regular features related to mathematical and pedagogical themes. This issue includes the following articles: (1) "Fractals for Freshmen? Or,…

Drawing from experience at Lansing Community College (LCC), this paper discusses how to best prepare students for success in a beginning algebra course. First, an overview is presented of LCC's developmental math sequence, which includes Basic Arithmetic (MTH 008), Pre-Algebra (MTH 009), Beginning Algebra (MTH 012), and Intermediate Algebra (MTH…

Discusses the potential impact of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics on teacher education programs. Considers an historical perspective on reform as well as teacher and student conceptions. (PK)

Recent contributions from theory, research, and practice in second-language instruction are discussed in relation to mathematics education. Three methods of teaching and learning second languages are described--"Delayed Oral Production," the "Silent Way," and the "Counseling Learning/Community Language Learning." (KR)

Discusses the problems of and some solutions presented by the American mathematics education reform movement. Describes ideas concerning criteria for curriculum, assessment, learning, teaching, and teacher education. Proposes several recommendations for a new agenda. (YP)

Presents tasks from the topics of calculus, statistics, non-Euclidean geometry, and probability to illustrate effective college mathematics teaching. Discusses some obstacles to change in college-level mathematics teaching and strategies to overcome those obstacles. (MDH)

Mathematics educators have led the educational reform movement in recent years. New curricula and innovative teaching methods are emerging in elementary and secondary programs, as illustrated by the work of the College Board, University of Chicago, University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco, and the National Science Foundation. (MSE)

Describes the use of Keller's Personalized System for Instruction with the addition of videotapes, interactive videodisc, and computer-delivered tutorials in an undergraduate mathematics course. Modifications of Keller's plan for British universities are discussed, examination results are studied, and the quality of the learning experience is…

Provides a profile of Abdulalim Shabazz and his philosophy and practices relating to excellence in mathematics education. Highlights include his career at Clark Atlanta University; graduate mathematics students; teaching students based on need rather than test scores and background requirements; and gender equity in higher education, especially…

Described are student/consultant reports, turned in as homework, that reflected their abilities to distinguish useful from irrelevant information, solve the underlying calculus extremum problem, and reconcile the individual mathematical solutions with the ethical considerations surrounding the moral dilemma of the hypothetical consulting client.…

In 1997, Milgram and three other university mathematicians substantially revised the draft California mathematics standards. Changes were accepted by the state Board of education without seeking public or teacher input, circumventing public process. Content knowledge is no substitute for knowledge of how students develop mathematical…

Jobs requiring mathematical skills are growing at double the rate of overall employment. Standards for Two-Year College and Lower Division Mathematics (STCLDM) are being developed to guide reform in introductory college mathematics. Efforts to develop the STCLDM began at an August 1991 planning session with the Mathematical Sciences Education…

Developed by the major committees of the Minnesota Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (MinnMATYC) and approved by its Executive Board, these four position statements are intended to guide discussion and influence decisions affecting mathematics in Minnesota's two-year colleges. The first position statement suggests that the prerequisite…

Reports 17 recommendations that focus primarily on curriculum in grades 11-13 for students who take a four-year college-preparatory program. Appropriate curricular patterns for students who are intending to pursue careers that depend on mathematics are indicated. (PK)

The role of methods courses to help prospective elementary teachers learn to teach mathematics was investigated. The influence of past experience on preservice teachers, their lack of subject knowledge, and the lack of time set aside for a methods course are discussed. (KR)