Intense focus on student achievement results in mathematics and science has brought about claims that K-12 teachers should be better prepared to teach basic concepts in these disciplines. The focus on teachers' mathematics and science content knowledge has been met by efforts to increase teacher knowledge through funded national initiatives…

Reports a study of 269 students (males=147, females=122) from eight high school graduating classes in Shanghai, China, to determine whether gender differences in mathematics achievement as manifested in the United States exist. Analysis of variance by school on two measures indicated no gender differences except in one school on one measure. (MDH)

Reports an experimental study of 80 ninth grade biology students randomly assigned to treatment and control groups to determine whether the use of human examples in instructional strategies on Mendelian genetics increases acquisition and retention of genetics concepts. Results indicate that use of human examples in contrast to traditional examples…

Presents a study to evaluate the cognitive level of questions in middle school science textbooks. Questions and their location were coded from six randomly selected chapters in eight middle school science textbooks. Results indicated that input level questions were the dominant question type, probably leading to students functioning at lower…

Describes the evaluation of one of a series of plays devoted to the history of mathematics. The play evaluated was a one-act play with four scenes which covered aspects of the life of the mathematician Thales and introduces students to some history of mathematics and the topic of similar triangles. (Author/DS)

Reports a study of 913 Israeli students in grades 7-12 from randomly chosen heterogeneous homeroom classes to investigate students' Piagetian cognitive levels using a video-based test. Results indicate that less than 50 percent of high school students have mastered formal operational reasoning. (MDH)

A study interviewed 6 grade-6 students after participation in 21 lessons on basic concepts of fractions and decimals to determine how different children construct rational number concepts. Discussed the formation of the key concept of equivalent fractions based on student responses to interview questions. (MDH)

Inservice teachers (n=180) participating in seven mathematical problem-solving workshops were asked to define problem solving. An item analysis of the written responses indicated that 67% of the responses were conceptually or terminologically vague. Precise definitions fell into three categories: strategy-based (12%), skills-based (9%), and…

Presents results of 46 randomly selected children's performance measurement and partitive division problems when remainders are zero, nonzero but not used in the solution, and nonzero and used in the solution. Results indicate that children demonstrate an understanding of division prior to formal instruction. (MDH)

Proposes the use of procedural task analysis as a tool to assess a person's mental processes during problem solving in science education research. Uses transcriptions of videotape or audiotape problem-solving sessions to identify students' knowledge structures and misconceptions. (MDH)

Describes three perspectives from which middle school teachers can plan laboratory activities for the purpose of improving students' scientific literacy. Perspectives are the learning cycle approach categorizing activities by stages of development; problem-solving skills approach categorizing activities according to the amount of teacher control;…

Presents a study to examine the effects of a verbal teaching strategy versus a strategy providing instruction using activities and manipulatives in four seventh grade earth science classes with students of varying cognitive abilities (n=83). Results indicate that students with more cognitive structures perform better and that using manipulatives…