Discusses the national option mathematics test developed by Dutch educators because of doubts that the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) mathematics test was appropriate for Dutch students. Discusses test results that indicate that the TIMSS was, in fact, appropriate for use in the Netherlands. (SLD)

Considers the way in which games can be woven into the curriculum to help pupils practice their mental skills in a situation quite different from the traditional mental test and in a way which reduces the pressures felt by pupils. (ASK)

Reports research into the conceptions of mathematics, orientations to studying it, and experiences of learning it of 300 Australian first-year university students. Results suggest two qualitatively different experiences of learning mathematics. Differences in students' conceptions of mathematics were related to their experiences and their…

Used mathematics achievement data from the 1992 National Assessment of Educational Progress, the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, and the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 to examine the sex difference by item difficulty interaction. The predicted negative correlation was found for all eight populations and was…

A study of 331 elementary school children tested the reliability of a computer resident interactive arithmetic test and found high levels of reliability, using single sitting and parallel forms methods. The study also tried to determine the validity of the interactive test by comparing it with arithmetic subtests of the Key Math Test (KMT). (PEN)

Discusses the positive and negative influences of high-stakes tests on mathematics curriculum and instruction in China. Suggests that educators should improve the design of the test questions, change the methods of testing, and reduce negative influences as much as possible. (ASK)

After scrambling to raise students' skills in math and reading, state and school administrators are beginning to place renewed emphasis on science, with the approaching mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) squarely in mind. That effort is taking shape on many fronts, from the design of new tests in science subjects to the revamping of…

American Indian students tend to lag behind their white and Asian-American peers on National Assessment of Educational Progress reading and mathematics tests in 4th and 8th grade, but they score higher on average than African-American students, according to a first-of-its-kind federal analysis. The U.S. Department of Education says the May 23…

Compared scores for Texas eighth graders on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) and National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to study the achievement gap in mathematics in 1996 and 2000. Results show the likelihood of a ceiling effect impacting students' TAAS scores that created the illusion the achievement gap had narrowed.…

Having taught developmental mathematics for a number of years, the author is keenly aware of the effects of math anxiety on developmental math students. Math-anxious students complain of such things as nervousness, inability to concentrate, a blank mind, and a feeling of sickness when they are confronted with taking a math test. Math anxiety is…

Mathematical literacy is an important skill that is gaining the attention of mathematics educators. Students are increasingly challenged on standardized assessments to read, create, use, and comprehend numerous mathematical representations as a way of demonstrating mathematical literacy. Test items assessing algebra concepts from the Texas…

Ignoring the adequacy of floors and item gradients for tests used with young children can have serious consequences. Thus, because of the importance of early intervention for reading and math problems, we used the criteria suggested by Bracken for adequate floors and item gradients, and reviewed 15 reading tests and 12 math tests for ages 4-0…

Using data from the Longitudinal Study of Mathematics Participation (N = 1,518 students from 34 schools), we investigated the effects of pure and applied mathematics courses on mathematics achievement, controlling for prior mathematics achievement. Results of multilevel modelling showed that the effects of pure mathematics were significant after…

This study took place at Skaneateles High School in Skaneateles, New York in a grade 10 Integrated Math AB course with 52 students in 3 sections using the TI-84 Plus family graphing calculators and the TI-Navigator classroom learning system with a projector and interactive whiteboard. New York State is phasing in a new curriculum that integrates…

Today's college ACCUPLACER System's Computerized Placement Test (CPT) plays a major role for determining whether post-secondary students are ready for placement into Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, or College Mathematics courses. It is widely used in most college systems in the U.S. This paper discusses some of the issues to…