This monograph aims to provide teachers of grades 7, 8, and 9 with a variety of instructional activities and strategies that identify student difficulties in computing percents and teaching the skills needed for that cluster on the mathematics part of the New Jersey High School Proficiency Test (HSPT). Sections include: (1) "Concepts"…

This survey reflects new developments in the mathematics curriculum as emphasized in the curriculum frameworks and state-adopted textbooks. The first section describes the procedure for the development of the survey and the rationale for the topics and types of questions included on the mathematics portion of the test. The second section describes…

This paper compares the old and new curricula of elementary mathematics and natural science in the Republic of China. This study, as the second phase of an evaluation period, tested a sample of the students while they were in the ninth grade and compared them to students who received the old curricula during their elementary studies. The data were…

Suggests that, although questions are often used to help students or stimulate student thinking, questions can also be used to help evaluate student thinking and attitudes about problem solving. Sample problems and questions are given. (PK)

Argues that teachers should be encouraged to use not just pencil-and-paper tests but also observations, interviews, and even students' journals to gather information on which to base their evaluations. (PK)

Results of field testing for reliability and validity the Generalizable Mathematics Skills Student Self-Ratings (SSR), Teacher Ratings (TR), and Performance Test (PT) assessment instruments with 138 handicapped secondary students in vocational programs and their vocational teachers (N=5) found sufficient content and face validity and relatively…

This paper considers the main results and some educational implications of the TIMSS 2003 assessment conducted in Serbia, in the fields of mathematics achievement of Serbian eighth grade students and the mathematics curriculum context of their achievement. It was confirmed that Serbian eighth graders have made average scale score of 477 points,…

Despite the fact that charter schools serve over 684,000 children nationwide, they remain a poorly studied form of education reform. This is primarily because many charter schools serve targeted populations such as at-risk, disabled, or delinquent students, which makes it very difficult for researchers to draw a fair comparison between charter…

Research support for providing a read-aloud accommodation (i.e., having an individual read test items and directions aloud) to students with disabilities has been somewhat limited, particularly when merely examining effects of the accommodation on overall test scores for general groups of students with disabilities. The authors examined data on…

An experimental study tested a model for enhancing mathematics instruction in five high school career and technical education (CTE) programs (agriculture, auto technology, business/marketing, health, and information technology). The model consisted of a pedagogy and intense teacher professional development. Volunteer CTE teachers were randomly…

In 2003, U.S. students' mathematics performance was assessed by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) for students in grades 4 and 8 and by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) for students at age 15. Results in the press and later summaries, such as that found in The Condition of Education (NCES,…

This paper discusses a Standard & Poor's analysis of state performance on the 2005 and 2003 NAEP reading and mathematics tests that took account of the demographic differences among the states. The study was presented at the NAEP State Service Center Winter Workshop in January, 2006. Standard & Poor's is commended for recognizing that NAEP…

Beginning in 1999, all of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) had to be aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. This handbook describes the PSSA mathematics assessment. Following an overview of the PSSA, the second chapter focuses on the development and scoring of the mathematics assessment. Administering the assessment…

This study was conducted to determine whether norm-referenced test data and Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) data from 1995 and 1999 showed similar gains in reading and mathematics achievement. TAAS data were collected from all students in Texas who were in the accountability subset of scores used for rating schools, approximately…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has served as the only ongoing monitor of student achievement in the United States across time. This report summarizes major findings from 10 administrations of the long-term reading assessment since 1971, 9 administrations of the long-term trend mathematics assessment since 1973, and 10…