This paper describes a case study in which one woman in a focus group of 11 women recounted her use of numerical and mathematical tools in her personal and work life. According to the researcher, the subject's experiences engendered strong feelings and revealed that aspects of her self-identity were bound up with her use of tools and feelings…

Describes a two-day program within a developmental mathematics course utilizing group-building exercises and initiative problems (problems with physical solutions) to foster communication, problem-solving skills, and math confidence. Presents results of student evaluations of program showing increased interest and confidence in mathematics, and…

This issue of the journal contains abstracts and critical comments for 13 published reports of research in mathematics education. Topics include: (1) effects of mathematics anxiety on preservice elementary teachers; (2) visualizing rectangular solids; (3) computer simulations and abstract thinking; (4) the association of foldout shapes with…

This study examined mathematical self-concept of college students and how it may develop differently between men and women. The study used data from a 1985 Cooperative Institutional Research Programs Survey and a follow-up survey in 1989 which included information from over 27,000 college freshmen and incorporates information acquired directly…

Mathematics anxiety and competence of 57 Anglo and Hispanic pre-service teachers were measured before and after a 30-hour workshop using the training program EQUALS. Students were divided into three groups: elementary, secondary, and library media. Students in the library media class served as the control group; the other two groups were the…

This study, conducted with college developmental studies students, explored possible relationships between individualized computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in basic mathematics skills and each of two variables; mathematics knowledge and anxiety toward mathematics. Both experimental (N=5) and control (N=12) groups made significant gains in…

The San Francisco Math Leadership Project is an attempt to re-educate elementary teachers, many of whom do not consider mathematics their favorite subject and have limited mathematics backgrounds. The task is to increase the mathematics knowledge of these teachers and build their confidence in their own ability to do mathematics and to teach it.…

Presents a study to investigate the prevalence of mathematics anxiety in Navajo middle school students (n=358) and to explore possible relationships between learning styles and mathematics anxiety and achievement. Multiple regression procedures indicated that spatial ability and mathematics achievement were negatively correlated to mathematics…

This publication for adult basic education (ABE)/General Educational Development program (GED) instructors contains some ideas for altering attitudes about mathematics. It provides ideas for broadening ABE/GED mathematics curricula and finding more effective ways of bridging mathematics in the GED classroom with mathematics in postsecondary…

Fourth grade elementary school children exhibiting high and low mathematics anxiety were trained on multiplication facts using the Math Builder Program, a computer program designed to bring their performance to the automaticity level. Mathematics anxiety, measured by the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale--Elementary version (MARS-E), was assessed…

This unit, one of six which comprise the Fair Play program, teaches students to use data analysis skills to examine sex differences in career choices, mathematics attitudes, and treatment in the labor force. The Fair Play program is a series of student and teacher materials the purpose of which is to help students expand their female or male…

This unit, one of six which comprise the Fair Play program, teaches students to use data analysis skills to examine sex differences in career choices, mathematics attitudes, and treatment in the labor force. The Fair Play program is a series of student and teacher materials the purpose of which is to help students expand their female or male…

Criteria for placement tests on math skills of adult basic education (ABE) students are needed to develop tests that are not too "school-like" because the ABE students are often blocked by math anxiety due to past negative school experiences, students may encounter language problems that affect their math skills, simple math problems do…

Analyzes the attributional patterns of 48 junior high school parents who rated their children's math ability. Discusses the implications of sex-biased parental perceptions on the child's developing self-concept of math ability, future expectations, and subsequent achievement. (FMW)

Participants from all levels of Indian and mathematics education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and mathematics-related fields met to identify needs for mathematics education among American Indian students of all ages. In general, conferees were more pessimistic about the mathematics competence of American Indian…