Quantified ethnic elementary school student underachievement data in the compulsory subjects of mathematics, science, and English, with a focus on Black and African Caribbean students. Negative influences to academic achievement in the school environment, including student-teacher relationships and lack of parental involvement, are discussed. The…

Discusses what a portfolio is and presents reasons for using portfolios to assess students' mathematical progress, along with tips for introducing, using, and assessing portfolios. Includes examples of student work and guidelines for portfolio entries. (MKR)

An attempt is made to elaborate on the connections and differences between the objective and subjective elements of mathematical knowledge using case study analysis relative to how an epistemological perspective about probability and randomness impacts upon a short classroom teaching episode. (19 references) (Author/JJK)

Reports development and results of the Kramer Project, a two-year study of the implementation of a problem-solving, activity-based mathematics program in the elementary grades. Describes the mathematical content covered, participating teachers, instructional materials employed, inservice teacher training provided, and academic achievement gains of…

Reports a case study to evaluate whether basic concepts of fractal geometry are teachable to elementary school children and to determine the effectiveness of having an elementary school student present a lesson to inservice and preservice teachers. Concludes that simple concepts of fractal geometry appear appropriate for the elementary school…

Describes the "number 2 arithmetic challenge," an activity in which students score points by creating examples using the number 2 that satisfy an unknown rule. Computers are utilized to verify and record examples. Conflicts with computer responses create situations to explore negative numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, the order of…

Focuses on connections between mathematics and environmental concerns. Activities were designed to make students aware of, and increase their knowledge of, the various materials people ordinarily use and discard and ways to use materials more conservatively. Each activity includes data gathering, graphing, and interpreting data. Activity sheets…

Reports results from a project designed to bring about student conceptual change by using multiple modeling and representation as well as links to other areas. Students developed rules as conveniences and meanings for symbols, were active in learning, made interpretations, and had confidence in their thinking. (MKR)

Asian-Americans' exceptional academic achievement has generated a great deal of interest on the part of educators in search of explanations for the phenomenon. In particular, Asian-Americans' mathematics achievement has been remarkable and many studies have found these students outperforming students from other ethnic groups. A study was conducted…

The contents of the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of 76 students with mild disabilities in grades 4 and 8 were compared to nationally and locally defined standards for mathematics. The contents of the National Assessment of Educational Progress proficiency levels, local standards, and IEPs were categorized using a taxonomy with the…

This document provides information on student performance at the state, regional, and school system levels on end-of-grade multiple choice tests for grades 3 through 8 in reading and mathematics and the end-of-course multiple choice tests administered in high school subjects in 1996-97 as part of the North Carolina Testing Program. The figures and…

"Seeing Fractions" is an instructional unit for teachers in California that was trial tested in about 30 classrooms, grades 4 through 6 with diverse student populations, and designed to help students become aware of the variety of ways in which fractions are commonly used. The Introduction includes an overview of fractions and what…

This study examines the relationship between children's procedural and conceptual understanding of mathematics and their accuracy in reporting and interpreting geography text material containing mathematical information. It was hypothesized that (1) children's misconceptions or lack of experience with particular mathematical content areas would be…

This manual designed for grade 6 is part of a series for a program to integrate the teaching and learning of mathematical and computer concepts and skills in the elementary school. The manual contains 34 lessons. Each lesson includes information on the topic, suggested grade level, mathematics concepts and skills, objective, prerequisite skills…

This guide is designed to help classroom teachers implement the Alabama Course of Study: Mathematics K-12. It is inclusive also of the objectives tested by the Stanford Achievement Tests and the Alabama Basic Competency Tests. One characteristic of the curriculum guide is that it clearly states what students should learn in each grade level. These…