In an effort to prepare students for the 21st century, this book provides ideas and suggestions for educators on critical areas in mathematics education. A series of articles is presented on content changes, instructional strategies, and the role of computers. These articles include: (1) "Status of Computers" (John Ellsworth); (2) "New Topics for…

Background information on the testing program, administration details, and a description of the test are provided. The test, intended for administration in June 1986 to third-grade students in Alberta, Canada, consists of two sections. Section 1 is divided into two parts. Part A contains 25 questions covering numeration, geometry, and graphing; 12…

Information about the diploma examinations in Mathematics 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, and Physics 30 that will be administered during January, June, and August 1987, is provided in this bulletin. Topics explained include: (1) general format of the examinations (stating the content, emphasis, and time allotments for the examinations); (2)…

The Testing Center at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) in North Carolina, Educational Testing Service, and the College Board are participating jointly in pilot and field testing Computerized Placement Tests (CPTs). CPTs, which assess communications, reading, and mathematics skills, have the following benefits: (1) students may take the…

In October 1981, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) Program introduced a new version of the General Test (GT) that differed from the previous version in three major ways. The GT was altered to: reduce the verbal measure's speededness and allow the addition of several quantitative items; delete two item types from the analytical measure; and…

A methodology for investigating the influence of correction-for-guessing directions and formula scoring on test performance was studied. Experts in the test content field used a judgmental item appraisal system to estimate the knowledge of the minimally competent candidate (MCC) and to predict those items that the MCC would omit on the test under…

This twelfth grade diploma examination is written in both French and English. The test consists of 52 multiple-choice items and three written response questions. Two and one-half hours are provided for taking the test; approved calculators may be used. The test content covers a wide range of mathematical topics including: geometry; trigonometry;…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. The 59,723 students who took the Algebra I End-of-Course Test in 1987-88 were a subgroup of the school population in the eighth through twelfth grades. The proportion of students…

A study was conducted at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) to determine the comparability of the two tests used in Florida to assess students' entry-level skills, the Florida Multiple Assessment Programs and Services (MAPS) battery and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The study also sought to determine the effect of altering SAT cutoff scores…

The "General Mathematics" series contains six modules, intended to help students become more competent with basic mathematics. The Measurements module is designed to allow students to build or increase their level of understanding of measurements. The module helps students develop those skills necessary to successfully understand and use basic…

The psychometric integrity of selected items from the Mathematics Association of America (MAA) placement tests for college students was investigated. Two alternative and parallel versions of the test were developed (Form A and Form B) for this study. Data for 539 students seeking admission into an undergraduate mathematics curriculum at a private…

This document contains a set of standards for mathematics curricula in North American schools (K-12) and for evaluating the quality of both the curriculum and student achievement. In the introduction, the background, need, and overview of these standards are described. A total of 54 standards are divided into four categories: (1) "Curriculum…

This report consists of data tables summarizing test results statewide for students in grades 11 and 12 who took the New Jersey Minimum Basic Skills (MBS) test in March, 1987. The MBS assesses minimum skills in reading and mathematics. It is used as the graduation test for students who entered ninth grade prior to September 1985 and have not yet…

The Austin Independent School District Office of Research and Evaluation (AISD-ORE) has recently completed a three year study of the effects of retention on elementary students. As in other studies comparing the academic achievement of elementary retainees and similar students not retained, findings indicated that promoted students generally show…

Article discusses two questions--what is the research base for the recommendations made by the NCTM Standards for School Mathematics Committee and what is the agenda for new research implied by the standards. (PK)