Three basic causes for the general decline in mathematics achievement among high school graduates nationally are poor motivation to learn math, poor math curriculum, and poor or no mathematics instruction. Many Native Americans drop mathematics because of lack of challenging courses or interesting teachers in their high schools. Since American…

Provided are the papers presented at a conference which served as an international forum on diagnostic and prescriptive mathematics education. They are: (1) "The Evolution of the Research Council for Diagnostic and Prescriptive Mathematics" by Robert Underhill; (2) "The Interaction of Knowledge and Cognitive Processes in Diagnosis…

This paper describes the EQUALS teacher education program to assist educators in increasing participation of females in mathematics courses. The goal of the program was to increase educators' awareness of the issues surrounding the problem of mathematics avoidance among females, and particularly the future consequences for those students who…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has completed two assessments of mathematics, the first conducted in 1972-73 and the second during 1977-78. Each assessment surveyed the mathematics achievement of American 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds, using a deeply stratified, multi-stage probability sample design. This report documents…

THIS IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHIES WHICH ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION CONCERNING DOCUMENTS ANALYZED AT THE ERIC INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION. REPORTED ARE OVER 85 CITATIONS TO SELECTED DOCUMENTS ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN SCIENCE. THE DOCUMENTS INCLUDED REPRESENT RESEARCH REPORTS, RESEARCH…

TO IMPROVE MATHEMATICS TEACHING, A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS SENT TO 1,000 SECONDARY AND 2,018 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHERS IN ALABAMA. RESPONSES WERE RECEIVED FROM 964 (33.4 PERCENT) OF THOSE QUERIED. AMONG THE FINDINGS WERE (1) 62.5 PERCENT OF THE TEACHERS HAD 4-YEAR OR CLASS B CERTIFICATES, 26.9 PERCENT HAD 5-YEAR OR CLASS A, 3.4 PERCENT HAD…

This is the fifth in the second series of general bibliographies developed to disseminate information on documents analyzed at the ERIC Information Analysis Center for Science Education. Reported are some 76 citations of selected documents related to student achievement in science. The documents included represent research reports, research…

This is the fifth in the third series of general bibliographies developed to disseminate information on documents analyzed at the ERIC Information Analysis Center for Science Education. Reported are some 64 citations of documents related to student achievement in science and mathematics education. The documents included represent research reports,…

Proposes that although the past 30 years have seen increasing efforts to make mathematics more relevant and useful, schools continue to fail. Argues that forced rote learning is the direct cause of this failure and that improved teaching methods must be developed. Urges that shifts in methodology be phased in gradually. (TW)

Provides abstracts of selected mathematics and science papers presented during the conference. Topics included: (1) problem solving using the computer; (2) controlling the environment through Logo; (3) software and technology in the science curriculum; (4) learning multiplication facts using multiple strategies; and (5) limitations and potential…

Discusses the use of Logo tools, spinners, dice, and coins for creating and understanding probability. Gives procedures for devising a spinner board and other necessary functions for performing the activity. Presents ideas for extending the experiment. (RT)

Promotes mathematics instruction that goes beyond computation and problem solving, attempting to make children the "posers of problems." Addresses differences in hemisphericity, processing, and learning styles, as well as maturation differences, sex differences, effects of stimulation, enriched environments, emotion, and the control of attention.…

Promotes the use of computers in teaching not only to solve problems but also to help students be better at analyzing problems and developing procedures for their solution. Outlines several problems where a computer-assisted analysis can help give students a thorough understanding of the topic. (TW)

Describes a field test of the "Diagnostic Test of Computational Skills." Examines whether or not a computer can efficiently analyze student answers, previously unidentified computational error patterns and errors related to student use of microcomputers. Concludes that this method can be useful for immediate and accurate diagnostic information.…

A student was observed practicing arithmetic with a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system. She enjoyed practice and believed that it helped. However, she consistently failed to solve problems on the computer that she could do with pencil and paper. This paper suggests reasons for her problems and draws implications for CAI. (Author/PK)