This paper gives results of a review of 41 high school, junior high school, and college algebra and mathematics textbooks. The review focuses on two facets of the curriculum: (1) the presentation of the concept of variable; and (2) word problems and the presentation of problem solving skills. With regard to the variable concept it was concluded…

The Mathematical Sciences Education Board (MSEB) is one of the nine major units of the National Research Council (NRC). It was established to provide a continuing national overview and assessment capability for mathematics education. The NRC's special concern with the quality of mathematics education is based on two considerations: mathematics is…

This document contains the course syllabus and 12 independent practice modules for a college level mathematics course designed to provide the necessary foundation for success in calculus, develop logical thinking skills, and enhance analytic skills through problem solving. Topics include relations and functions; inequalities; complex numbers;…

In 1988, a national survey was conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges to assess the needs of two-year colleges for faculty, equipment, and facilities for science, social science, mathematics, engineering, and science-based technology programs, and to identify innovative programs for recruiting students into these programs.…

The tendency of female students to avoid mathematics and science courses has been of concern to many researchers. The concern stems from the fact that avoidance of these academic areas places young women in a position of reduced choice with respect to careers. This research examined mathematics and science related attitudes and behaviors among…

This document contains overviews of current research, insights from teachers and tutors, and considerations of such issues as metacognition, choice of operations, and the testing of problem-solving skills. Papers include: (1) "Historical Perspectives on Problem Solving in the Mathematics Curriculum" (George M. A. Stanic and Jeremy…

Proceedings of the North Country Workshop on Science, Technology, and the Undergraduate Curriculum are presented. The Sloan Foundation's call for reform of the liberal arts and coverage of mathematics, science, and technology is noted in welcoming remarks by State University of New York, Potsdam, President Humphrey Tonkin. Stephen H. Cutcliffe…

This document was designed as a guide for the selection of library books for high school students of all levels of ability. It also contains materials dealing with the professional interests of students and teachers involved with mathematics in junior and community colleges. The material is categorized into: (1) Expository Mathematics; (2)…

This project identified over 500 critical incidents of successful and unsuccessful instruction in science and mathematics courses reported through interviews of 105 blind college students. The principal categories of effective teacher behavior included planned concrete learning experiences, creative use of learning materials, and detailed…

Academic programs, recruitment, and student retention among minority students in the environmental and natural resource professions are examined. Major sections include: (1) environmental and resource studies at minority colleges (black and Native American institutions, institutions with significant Hispanic enrollment, and basic curricula); (2)…

Non-commercial investigator-developed tests and other instruments to assess mathematical instruction, reported in journals, dissertations, and ERIC documents from 1974 through mid-1981, are listed. For approximately 90 instruments, information on content, format, sample, reliability, correlations, and validity is included, as well as references.…

Problem solving is viewed as an increasing area of interest that focuses on the theory, research, and teaching of general cognitive skills which are applicable to broad problem classes. This document gives an overview of some important aspects of the theory and research in order to identify what general cognitive skills ought to be taught. Modern…

This document points out the numbers of students who have difficulty in their required college mathematics courses. The four common syndromes identified with pupils who were experiencing a lack of success in mathematics were: (1) a lack of an adequate college or high school background in mathematics; (2) the tendency to feel that because they…

The Math Center described in this report operates at Pima Community College to provide individualized, self-paced instruction as an alternative to lecture courses. The report first describes the Center's staff organization and then examines seven courses offered through the Center on remedial, vocational, and transfer levels. Each of these courses…

The mathematics learning center at Tacoma Community College (Washington) has three programs: an independent-tutorial study system, a student tutorial system, and a basic arithmetic skills laboratory. Thirty independent-tutorial study mathematics courses, ranging from arithmetic to calculus, are available within the structure and control of the…