Discusses public interest in mathematics and offers an annotated selection of 54 math titles for public libraries. Most books are suitable for adults and older students. Books are listed in the following categories: collection development; reference; math anxiety; general mathematics; for parents and kids; for students; study guide series;…

Presented are a rationale and sample techniques for the implementation and continued use of alternative school mathematics evaluation programs that are in alignment with the proposed curriculum standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Emphasis is directed toward holistic scoring techniques including calculator/computer…

Reports on the effects of long-term intervention in the teaching of mathematics through the analysis of standardized test score data over a 9-year period at a K-8 elementary school. Results indicate that a more thoughtful, or conceptually based, approach to elementary mathematics instruction has an overall positive effect on test scores. (28…

This study examined the construct validity of the KeyMath-Revised by testing the factorial model proposed by the test author. Results failed to confirm the proposed factorial model and suggested that the KeyMath-Revised assesses two domains that are difficult to interpret, rather than the three proposed by the test author. (Author/JDD)

Equal percentile (EP) and partial credit (PC) equatings for raw scores from performance-based assessments with free-response items are compared through the use of data from the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program. Results suggest that EP and PC methods do not give equivalent results when distributions are markedly skewed. (SLD)

Estimating item parameters from a two-parameter normal ogive model is considered using Gibbs sampling to simulate draws from the joint posterior distribution of ability and item parameters. The method gives marginal posterior density estimates for any parameter of interest, as illustrated using data from a 33-item mathematics placement…

Presents a drill-and-review process in which students take daily quizzes and then correct each other's work on a daily basis. Provides a daily quiz sheet and an example implementing the process for the concept of fractions. (MDH)

The cognitive structure of an algebra test was defined and validated using the linear logistic test model (LLTM) and quadratic assignment (QA). A 29-item test was administered to 235 ninth graders. Results suggest the benefits of applying both LLTM and QA to test construction and analysis. (SLD)

In planning for mathematical assessment, there are several theoretical and practical problems of which the mathematics teacher must be aware. These are discussed under the subheadings of scope; assessment of concepts and higher-order thinking skills; and alignment. Assessors should consider pedagogical approaches when planning assessments. (SLD)

Examined how well three measures, representing points on a traditional-alternative mathematics assessment continuum, discriminated fourth graders achieving above, at, and below grade level, and how cooperative testing affected performance assessment. Found strong discriminative validity for the more traditional measures but not for performance…

Scores from mathematics (tested at 102 schools) and science (tested at 99 schools) sections of pilot forms of the Michigan High School Proficiency Test were examined for interaction between gender and response format (multiple choice or constructed response). Overall, neither males nor females seemed to be disadvantaged by item format. (SLD)

Studied the role mathematical world views, as domain-centered epistemological beliefs, played in the academic lives of upper secondary school students in Germany participating in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). World views were substantial predictors of achievement in advanced mathematics, even when controlling for…

Describes the development of the performance assessment tasks of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. The challenge was to produce tasks that would measure the achievement of curricular objectives while being sufficiently reliable to allow comparisons between countries and of groups within countries. (SLD)

Approximately 1,700 English language learners (ELLs) and former ELL students, in Grades 4 and 10, were tested using both an English-language (Stanford Achievement Test, 9th ed.) and a Spanish-language (Aprenda, 2nd ed.) achievement test. Their performances on the two tests were contrasted. The results showed that ELL students, for the most part,…

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of student-related variables on achievement in mathematics. The sample consisted of 3736 13-year-old Jordanian 8th-graders who participated in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The participants completed a student questionnaire and participated in the…