The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) sponsored a conference which focused on topics and issues related to the impact of computing on school mathematics. Presented are guidelines/recommendations related to computing and: (1) the mathematics curriculum; (2) mathematics instruction; and (3) pre- and in-service components of…

Illinois principals (N=228) were surveyed to determine the qualities they examine when hiring mathematics and science teachers. Content area knowledge, area of certification, and personality characteristics were of higher priority than sponsoring extracurricular activities, references, and minor areas of certification. (DH)

Compared selected teacher beliefs and verbal behaviors among secondary science and mathematics teachers. Teacher beliefs included teacher responsibility for student success and failure. Comparisons were made for these categories of teachers: (1) science/mathematics; (2) junior/senior high; (3) teachers of advanced/basic courses; and (4)…

How videotapes were developed to help students who miss instruction is described. (MNS)

Determined that the conceptions of mathematics and mathematics instruction held by three junior high school teachers played a significant role in shaping their instructional behavior. Differences among the teachers in their conceptions and practices are explained followed by a discussion of properties of their conceptual systems. (Author/JN)

Describes the MENTE (Minorities Engaged in New Things in Education) program which builds migrant students' skills, confidence, and awareness of opportunities. Components include language arts, quantitative skills (science and mathematics), and personal development activities. Participants later entered college at a much higher rate than the…

Data were collected on mathematics achievement, spatial visualization ability, student attitudes, sex, parent attitudes, and student career interests of 1982 seventh- and eighth-grade students from 13 midwestern junior high schools. Parent attitudes and student career interests were significant predictors of mathematics achievement over and above…

The process of transition from a novice's state to that of an expert, in the domain of decimals, is described in terms of explicit, intermediate, and transitional rules which are consistent yet erroneous. Data from students in grades 6-9 are included. (MNS)

Presented are four activities (each accompanied by ready-to-duplicate worksheets) dealing with: colors and shapes (grades K-2); using a coordinate grid in map reading (grades 3-4); order pairs of whole numbers (grades 5-6); and locating ordered pairs of rational numbers in the coordinate plane (grades 7-8). (JN)

Describes the 1983 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching and the various activities and receptions for the 104 award winners. Includes lists of gifts given to teachers, as well as information for the 1984 competition. (JM)

Discusses a computer program requiring students to find an object on a grid by using location coordinates. The program, which provides a wide range of problem-solving activities, is a highly motivating approach to hands-on metric measurement, rounding off numbers, and plotting points on Cartesian coordinate systems. Includes complete program…

Presents activities and procedures to help students use a spreadsheet program in their studies of mathematics and finance. Examples are provided for VisiCalc since the program is easy to learn and is available for many different computers. (JN)

Activities for a 10-day unit on probability and statistics are described, with preplanning ideas included. Spinners, dice, cards, wheels, and other materials are used in a variety of games. (MNS)

An approach to teaching the exponential function using discrete methods, rather than continuous analysis, is presented. A model for simple geometric growth is explored, with a computer program given. (MNS)

For 139 students, algebra prognosis test scores and performance in seventh-grade mathematics best predicted algebra grades in grade eight, whereas IQ, problem solving, and prognosis scores best predicted achievement on a standardized algebra test. No sex difference in achievement scores was found, but girls attained higher percentage grades. (MNS)