This paper addresses the first year of a three-year, longitudinal study which introduces mathematical modeling to young children and provides professional development for their teachers. Four classes of third-graders (8 years of age) and their teachers participated in the first year of the program, which involved several preliminary modeling…

This paper explores the phenomenon of mathematical understanding, and offers a response to the question raised by Martin (2001) at PME-NA about the possibility for and nature of collective mathematical understanding. In referring to collective mathematical understanding we point to the kinds of learning and understanding we may see occurring when…

A mathematical model, using the vector maximization technique, is developed to study the underlying structure of a set of cost/benefit alternatives. (Author)

Presents a model that can be used by social scientists to formulate and test choice alternatives to select the most ethical course of action when values are in conflict. Graduate students in psychology, education, and medicine have used the model to recognize and resolve ethical problems. (RM)

Provides case studies or exemplary models of counselors who are able to draw on their professional skills to cope with the extra demands made on their time by administrators. Provides practical strategies for communicating to administrators the need for school counselors to counsel. (RC)

An inservice program entitled The Team Approach to Educational Decision-Making: Inservice for Multidisciplinary Teams is described. It provides instruction in team theory, communication skills, and problem-solving techniques to create more active and effective team participation in the Individual Education Program decision-making processes to meet…

Presents a six-step model for generating hypothetical examples of what a handicapped student might experience in a mainstreamed setting, and preparing nonhandicapped students for this integration. Stages include determining student needs, specifying environmental demands, identifying problems, translating and presenting hypotheticals to the class…

Elements that the University of Akron, Furman University, and Wichita State University believe to be essential for mounting a successful program for change are identified: definition of institutional mission, top administrative support, leadership development, comprehensive change programs, emphasis on communication and process, and merging of…

If health education is to develop into a discipline that increases the competencies of people to implement decisions about health behaviors, the development of a paradigm that can be used as an alternative to the behavior change paradigm is required. Several models of behavior change are presented. (JN)

This article presents the Practical Action Teaching Model and discusses its four phases: identification of the practical problem, practical reasoning or deliberation, action, and reflection. It incorporates intrinsically motivating, practical, value-based student problems that call for critical and creative thinking and offer opportunities for…

Investigated assumptions that people choose careers which are consistent with their learning styles and are shaped to fit career learning norms. Counselor trainees (N=35) indicated their "preferred" learning style, and subsequently, their perceptions of "counselor" learning style. Results supported the assumptions. (Author/RC)

Describes E. Frank Harrison's model of decision making and discusses its implications for decision making by librarians and information managers. Questions relating to decision quality, group size, reward and penalty mechanisms, group norms, and the place of information science in the study of decision making are addressed. Nine references are…

Details of a course on mathematical modeling for graduate teachers of mathematics are presented. The rationale, objectives, course content, assessment methods are discussed along with several illustrative examples and difficulties encountered in finding appropriate problems. (MP)

Student weaknesses on problem-solving portions of the NAEP mathematics assessment are discussed using Polya's heuristics as a framework. Recommendations for classroom instruction are discussed. (MP) Aspect of National Assessment (NAEP) dealt with in this document: Results (Interpretation).

A model of competition probabilities using past performances of competitors against common opponents is constructed. Application to predicting victories in athletic competitions is also reviewed. (MP)