This monograph provides educational researchers, policymakers, and practitioners with an overview of existing knowledge regarding factors that influence success among racial and ethnic minority students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) circuit. To accomplish this task, the authors reviewed more than four hundred…

From the Assessment of Performance Unit (APU) in Britain, illustrative comments of 11- and 15-year-olds concerning mathematics are presented. Sex differences in attitudes and in test performance are also given. (MNS)

The mathematics achievement of 11,914 men and women aged 15 to 22, who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Youth Labor Force Behavior in 1980, was analyzed to assess sex, education, and ethnic group effects. Generally, achievement of all groups increased the longer they were in school. (Authors/MNS)

Examines the mathematical concepts that cause the widest discrepancy between the sexes. Found these concepts to be concerned with scale or ratio, spatial problems, space-time relationships or probability questions. Contends that these findings have implications for those making decisions affecting the promotion of the teaching of mathematics to…

Editor-in-Chief James L. Morrison interviews Scott Howell, the co-editor of a three-volume book series entitled "Online Assessment and Measurement" that was published in 2006 by IDEA Group. In discussing his own research, Howell first highlights the value of test blueprints as a valuable tool for ensuring an effective alignment of…

During the 1978-79 school year, 27,058 students were involved in the Minnesota Educational Assessment in Mathematics at three grade levels. Eighth graders were tested in the fall, fourth graders in the winter, and eleventh graders in the spring. The first chapter of this report presents a general overview of the assessment program. Chapter two…

The Department of Education and National Association of Secondary School Principals have compiled differing criteria for middle school excellence as a result of conflicting ideas of the purpose of education, but resolution may be found through consideration of all demands by parents, educators, and the Department of Education. (DCS)

This books contains papers written on issues related to externally mandated mathematics tests and their influence on school mathematics. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the book, including brief abstracts of each chapter. Chapter 2 presents a summary of the overall problems associated with the need for valid information. Remaining chapters…

This paper reviews literature and history of special education programs since passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) in 1975, and describes findings from a 1987-88 survey of special education directors in 50 states. Previous literature suggested perceived benefits and difficulties with local education agency…

A study showed that the acquisition of voting knowledge in a civics class positively influenced ninth- and tenth-grade students' attitudes toward voting. Teachers should give students a solid foundation concerning the electoral process and encourage students to participate in the political process. (RM)

Four reports are presented including "Alternative Approaches to Assessment of Practical Work in Science"; "Introducing Multicultural Science Teaching to a Secondary School"; "A Case Study on the Relative Performance of Boys and Girls in Chemistry Part II"; and "An INSET Technique--Developing a New Consensus." (CW)

This study focuses on school report cards as an accountability tool, and on how their use interacts with one of the most persistent problems facing the public education system, i.e., the continuing underachievement of minority students. The paper looks specifically at the issues concerning the desirability of reporting student performance by race…

Based on eight monographs presented and discussed at a working meeting of the International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) in 1977, this summational report is intended to be used by educational planners for a reduction of regional disparities through school network reorganization and improvements in educational service. Part I discusses…

Included in this section are articles on the following topics: science education for pupils with learning difficulties, the Engineering Council, differential achievement in early childhood according to sex, a peer tutoring program, and suggestions for involving students in recording their own achievement. (CW)

Uses handwriting samples of 12 undergraduates to explore whether teachers give higher marks to students' work in good handwriting and whether the students' gender may be surmised by their handwriting. Results show grading is not influenced by handwriting quality and finds no effect of gender attribution on grades assigned. (NL)