Through historical and contemporary research, educators have identified widespread misconceptions and difficulties faced by students in learning algebra. Many of these universal issues stem from content addressed long before students take their first algebra course. Yet elementary and middle school teachers may not understand how the subtleties of…

Middle-school students are expected to understand key components of graphs, such as slope and y-intercept. However, constructing graphs is a skill that has received relatively little research attention. This study examined students' construction of graphs of linear functions, focusing specifically on the relative difficulties of graphing slope and…

The current body of literature suggests an interactive relationship between several of the process standards advocated by National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Verbal and written mathematical communication has often been described as an alternative to typical mathematical representations (e.g., charts and graphs). Therefore, the…

In Florida, recent legislative changes have granted community colleges the ability to offer baccalaureate degrees in education, frequently to non-traditional students. Based on information obtained from the literature covering preservice teachers' math knowledge, teachers' efficacy beliefs about math, and high-stakes mathematics testing, a study…

Offers information for new professionals to get involved with funded efforts supported by a variety of agencies. Described are four sources of funds including government grants, private foundations, industry, and community collaboration. Suggestions for proposal writing and contacts for funding are listed. (YP)

Introduces a schema for classifying research in mathematics education that deepens and extends the Romberg/Bourne Model. Employs dual hierarchical systems, one related to the research task and the other to research technique. (Author/CCM)

This article supports the learning theory and intellectual development model of Jean Piaget as a theory base for science education. (Author/MK)

Reviews the research studies related to astronomy education at the elementary, secondary, and college levels, and makes recommendations for continued research in this area. (JR)

Describes an actual study to illustrate how school districts might utilize research techniques in making decisions as to the most suitable textbooks to be adopted in their schools. (JR)

Reports the results of a study designed to determine the nature of research-oriented statements of objectives for the teaching of secondary school chemistry as found in selected professional periodicals of the 1918-1972 period. (Author/JR)

Fourteen science educators were asked to list the criteria they believed could be used in differentiating between process- and content-centered objectives, and to classify forty statements as being process-centered, content-centered, both, or not an instructional objective. Results showed a lack of agreement in classification among the…

Describes study to determine if children from high, middle, and low socioeconomic groups differed in understanding selected science concepts and in the methods they would suggest to find answers related to the concepts. Results reveal differences. Curriculum planning should take these differences into account. Thirteen references. (PR)

Reports the proceedings of the Wingspread conference on integrating science and mathematics teaching and learning. Discusses (1) a literature review on integration of science and mathematics education; (2) development of definitions of integration; (3) specification of guidelines for infusing integrated teaching and learning into science and…

This study's main purpose was to determine the effects a mastery teaching strategy would have on pupil achievement. A total of 21 teachers participated; results are reported for the subgroup of third and fourth grade teachers (n=5). Achievement of pupils favored the mastery group for each of the teachers. (DT)