This policy brief takes a close look at the ways in which the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)-1995 and TIMSS-1999 data have helped to inform changes in policy and practice as schools, districts, and states respond to the call for improvement in mathematics and science achievement. This policy brief is based primarily on…

Another step in the process of teacher education reform under the leadership of the Indiana Professional Standards Board (IPSB), this paper presents the draft framework for the initial licensure of professional educators in the state of Indiana. The preface discusses the composition of the committee, the process, selections, the "house"…

The Urban Systemic Initiatives (USI) program is an effort sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) that targets large urban school systems with the goal of sustainable implementation of high-quality, standards-based teaching for the purpose of attaining system-wide increases in students' learning of challenging mathematics and science.…

This study looked at the effect of contextual advisement and competition on transfer of mathematics skills in a computer-based instructional simulation game and simulation in which game participants helped their "aunt and uncle" fix up a house. Competition referred to whether or not the participant was playing against a computer…

This study analyzes the pedagogical ideas underpinning teachers' accounts of the successful use of computer-based tools and resources to support the teaching and learning of mathematics. These accounts were elicited through group interviews with the mathematics departments in seven secondary schools in England, conducted in the first half of 2000.…

This study used a sociolinguistic and micro-ethnographic approach to examine whether the setting of a mathematics task had an impact on the type and quality of classroom discourse, and it described the teacher's conflicts and resolutions in facilitating student discourse in a sixth-grade mathematics classroom. Data collection occurred from January…

This conference proceedings contains 135 research reports, 73 short oral reports, 30 poster session reports, 4 plenary addresses, 3 research forums, 6 project groups, and 5 discussion group reports. Only the research reports, research forums, and plenary addresses are full reports; the others are generally one-page abstracts. The first volume…

The six subcommittees of this committee have presented somewhat detailed reports. The report of the first subcommittee, Professor Cole, chairman, deals with the influence of "Scientific societies and periodical literature" in improving mathematical instruction. The report of the second subcommittee, Professor Le Gras, chairman, deals with the work…

The Congress of the United States, in passing the National Defense Education Act of 1958, reflected an ever increasing desire on the part of the Nation to improve the teaching of science and mathematics in its schools. The lack of adequate facilities and equipment had long been considered a major handicap to effective science and mathematics…

Twenty-five junior high school mathematics teachers and 25 English teachers who taught in both higher- and lower-ability class sections were observed during the school year in order to examine any differences in instructional behavior which might occur between the two classes. (Author/MP)

Time allocation in the second and fifth grades was divided into three major categories: (1) academic activities such as reading, mathematics, science, and social studies; (2) nonacademic activities such as music, art, and physical education; and (3) noninstructional activities such as transitions and class business. The number of minutes engaged…

The HIT (High Intensity Tutoring) program in two middle schools in Highland Park, Michigan, helps younger students come up to grade level in math and reading with special tutoring by older students, most of whom formerly needed tutoring themselves. (MF)

Six factors which influence carryover of innovative teaching methods (learned in teacher education programs) to elementary schools were studied. Lack of college instruction in organizing and managing the classroom for small group and individualized mathematics instruction was the main reason for not implementing the innovations learned in college…

Describes a popular seventh-grade mathematics project that involves house plans. Students choose house plans from books, transfer the plan to grid paper, and stake out the floor plan on a vacant area of the neighborhood. Project includes designing dream homes, researching jobs to afford their homes, and discussion of real-life concerns. (PVD)

Examines the definition of basic mathematics skills in a discussion of meeting the needs of mathematics students in a changing society. One basic skill is understanding formulas that are used in real life. Challenges teachers to teach students to reason mathematically, improve communication, and build mathematical connections with real-life…