Many test-based accountability systems, including the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), place great weight on the numbers of students who score at or above specified proficiency levels in various subjects. Accountability systems based on these metrics often provide incentives for teachers and principals to target children near current…

The difference between weight and mass, the desirability of "metric only" instruction, and the importance of decimals are among the topics discussed in this paper presented at a metric education conference. Comments on the potential of SI metric as a universal language and on efficient methods of converting to the metric system also are included.…

Canada's 1970 decision to move to international metric measures is discussed in this radio script. Reasons for the decision are described. The effects of the changeover on everyday life are noted. Metric vocabulary and relationships between units are mentioned. (DT)

Reported is a speech presented to a meeting in Canada regarding problems of converting to a metric system in Canada. Included in the discussion are political, educational, industrial, and home problems and uses. Suggestions to teachers for needed action are given. (RH)

This paper provides an historical account of the development of the International System of Units (SI), a complete listing of these units, and rules concerning their use and proper abbreviation. Ambiguities concerning the use of the system are explained. Appendices contain conversion factors for U.S. - British to SI units along with several…

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the nature of metric estimation skill instruction affects prospective elementary and special education teachers' abilities to estimate metric length, area, and volume. Four types of estimation skills were identified by an estimation matrix. Three instructional strategies were selected: (1) a…

In this publication are presentations on specific experiences in teaching metrics, made at a National Bureau of Standards conference. Ideas of value to teachers and administrators are described in reports on: SI units of measure; principles and practices of teaching metric; metric and the school librarian; teaching metric through television and…

Thirteen teaching approaches for the effective presentation of the metric system are identified. The hands-on approach, special features of the metric system which make it convenient to use, metric concepts which should be stressed, and the effect of the change to the metric system upon other areas of mathematics curriculum are among the topics…

This script for a short radio broadcast on measurement standards and metric conversion begins by tracing the rise of the metric system in the international marketplace. Metric units are identified and briefly explained. Arguments for conversion to metric measures are presented. The history of the development and acceptance of the metric system is…

A project to determine if a causal relationship exists between attitude and achievement in understanding metric concepts is described. The subjects of the project were inservice teachers. The answer to two questions were sought: Does a positive significant correlation exist between initial attitude and achievement? Does a significant difference…

This speech, prepared for the SI Metric Conference "Metrication is Everybody's Business" held in Newark, Delaware, describes the extent to which the metric system (SI) has been adopted in Canada. The author provides examples of adoption of SI, mixture of SI with the English system, and areas where the English system is retained. He…

A short history of the use of the metric system is given. The role of education in metrication is discussed. The metric activities of three groups of metrics advocates, the business community, private groups, and government agencies, are described. Arguments advanced by metric opponents are also included. The author compares the metric debate with…

Highlights six papers presented at the Seventh Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (Stillwater, Oklahoma 1982). Topics addressed included history, status, and future of SI units, algebra of SI units, periodic table, new standard-state pressure unit, and suggested new names for mole concept ("numerity" and "chemical amount"). (JN)

U.S. metric conversion efforts are reviewed as they have affected education. Education system benefits and costs are estimated for three possible system conversion plans. The soft-conversion-to-metric plan, which drops all inch-pound instruction, appears to provide the largest net benefits. The primary benefit is in class time saved. (SLD)

The first of two papers describes the techniques used at a school of nursing to develop 98 independent learning modules for an on-going, statewide, continuing education project designed to meet the needs of professional nurses practicing in the field. The paper focuses primarily on the administrative problems related to the project; e.g., test…