Often pre-service early childhood and elementary teachers, many who are female, feel they are not good at math and appear uncomfortable at the prospect of teaching math. Given the influence pre-service teachers' attitudes toward math might have on their learning, as well as that of their future students, examining the precursors of mathematical…

This study explores effects of teaching experience and specialized mathematics education on mathematics anxiety and mathematics teaching anxiety. Fifty-nine female pre-service and in-service mathematics primary school teachers with varied specialized mathematics education and teaching experience responded to a questionnaire measuring mathematics…

Mathematics education researchers have investigated mathematics anxiety in prospective elementary teachers. While many of these studies have focused on the bodily sensations and emotions of mathematics anxiety, particularly those felt in assessment situations, opportunities remain to investigate how prospective elementary teachers interpret their…

Master narratives exist in many forms within mathematics education. Preservice elementary teachers often are seen as having high levels of math anxiety while students in developmental mathematics are seen as being deficit in their mathematical understanding. This study uses counterstories to understand the experiences of two women of color, who…

The aim of this study is comparing math anxiety of secondary school female students in groups (Science and Mathematical Physics) Public Schools, district 2, city of Sari. The purpose of the research is applied research, it is a development branch, and in terms of the nature and method, it is a causal-comparative research. The statistical…

My dissertation research explored the experiences of mathematics anxieties in women elementary preservice teachers while learning mathematics as K-12 students and while learning to teach mathematics. Previous studies conducted in mathematics teacher education have emphasized the importance of preservice teachers' mathematical knowledge for…

A number of studies have highlighted that anxiety, confidence and enjoyment are influential factors on students' participation in mathematics, and in particular girls' participation. This paper, based upon data collected as part of a PhD thesis, examines the effect of these influences on pupil choices within different types of secondary schools in…

Provides a review of the literature related to math anxiety, indicating that society needs to eradicate the myth that females are more anxious about mathematics than males. Several options for eliminating math avoidance and math anxiety are considered. (JN)

A historical view of changes in participation of women in mathematics education shows that more females are enrolled in mathematics and science courses now than 10 years ago. Cultural attitudes appear to be changing but still have influence. A current problem lies in computer education, which is now dominated by men. (DF)

This book about mathematics anxiety focuses on many factors in society that bring about fear and avoidance of mathematics, and the influence of these factors on various groups in the population. The book begins with several stories of people who have suffered from or overcome mathematics anxiety, followed by a chapter giving reasons for overcoming…

Of the several barriers to women in the professions--discrimination at entry level, limited opportunities for advanced study, limited advancement, role conflict, and role socialization--lack of motivation to persist in the study of mathematics and mathematics-related subjects is one that can be prevented and cured. (MLW)

Microcomputers are viewed as bridges between the traditional world defined for women and the male-dominated world of technology. The view expressed is that female use of computers helps to lessen fear of technology and microcomputers can be a beginning supportive step. (MP)

This paper, presented at the eighty-fifth Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, examines the potential contribution of systematic evaluation of mathematics anxiety programs, outlines some important considerations in evaluating these programs, and presents illustrative data concerning the effectiveness of various components…

The purposes were to delineate and describe sex differences in mathematics achievement and participation and to investigate the usefulness of the fear of success construct in explaining the differences. Findings highlight the effects of environmental pressures on sex-related differences in mathematics performance and participation. (MP)

Possible reasons for the imbalance between men and women pursuing careers in science are discussed--disparity in cognitive abilities, personality characteristics, attitudes toward science, differences between in-school and out-of-school experiences, and gender differences in mathematics preparation. The implications for preparation of teachers of…