This dissertation study explores the emergence of off-task engagement, in which three Chinese first-graders write mathematically. It seeks the solution to the conflict between the intended mathematics writing and the realized mathematics writing, which ties to the Cartesian rationality dominating mathematics classrooms--that tends to ignore…

The present study used a multilevel approach to investigate the influence of four clusters of variables (i.e., demographic, homework, teacher, and parent) on three types of math homework purposes (i.e., academic, self-regulatory, or approval-seeking) perceived by 3,018 8th graders in China. Results revealed that each of the three math homework…

Reports the findings of a comparative study of elementary students in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and mainland China. Contrasts student attitude and behavior, intelligence, and achievement levels, and teacher and parent attitudes. Focuses on the factors behind the relative slowness of American children to acquire mathematics skills. (KH)