One of the four algebra word problem structures found in K-12 textbooks is the propositional relation structure (Mayer, 1982). This type of problem asks students to establish equivalences between the variables or noun referents in the problem. The literature available indicates that students have inordinate difficulties, when trying to solve a…

This issue of "Indicator of the Month" lists percentages of high school graduates taking selected mathematics and science courses in high school in 1982, 1987, 1990, and 1992. Findings include: (1) High school graduates in 1992 were more likely to take mathematics courses at the level of algebra I or higher and most science courses at the level of…

The North Carolina Testing Program is based on the assessment of higher level skills, the skills required to solve problems and make informed choices and decisions. This guide explains the end-of-course tests that are a component of the Testing Program and provides information to interpret them. The end-of-course tests for high school students are…

A research study conducted at Sam Houston State University (Texas) compared the final grades of students who chose the lecture method of instruction with the final grades of students who chose the self-paced method of instruction in introductory algebra classes. All students were required to take seven tests plus a comprehensive final examination.…

North Carolina revised its "Standard Course of Study" in 1985 to reflect the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function in an industrial age. The entrance into what is being called the information age brings new challenges in preparing students with new skills in the areas of creative thinking, problem solving, interpersonal…

In response to the large numbers of students who were failing or dropping out of basic algebra and calculus classes, Cottey College, in Missouri, developed a math placement program in 1982 using Basic Algebra (BA) and Calculus Readiness (CR) tests from the Mathematical Association of America's Placement Testing Program. Cut off scores for the…

In 1991, a survey was conducted at California's Sierra College (SC) to determine the types of students enrolling in algebra classes and to explore their attitudes about mathematics. The student population surveyed consisted of all students enrolled in 27 algebra class sections on the SC campus. The survey focused on students' reasons for enrolling…

Using science experiments in life science, chemistry, and physics, helps ground students' understanding of abstract algebra concepts in real-world applications. Hands-on activities connect mathematics with science in a way that is accessible to teachers and students alike. Each activity explores a scientific phenomenon, connecting it to algebra…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Algebra I Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Combining Performance and Participation:…

The North Carolina End-of-Course Testing Program was established to provide student, school, and school system information about achievement in high school courses. This report describes: (1) "Characteristics of Algebra II Students"; (2) "Student Performance on the Core Test"; (3) "Combining Performance and Participation:…

This Note describes several versions of an intelligent tutor for basic algebra that have been developed at the RAND Corporation. The versions of the tutor were built around several core components, including an algebra expert system and a student modeling component that can make inferences about misconceptions underlying students' errors. The…

This study compares and contrasts the following variables on the types of attributions (ability, effort, environment, and task) students make for their performance in algebra: attributions by gender and gender identification; attributions by level of math anxiety and self esteem; attributions by experience in competitive activities; and…

Research on intelligent tutoring seeks to develop systems for automating education and to explore epistemological issues concerning the nature of the knowledge presented by tutors and how that knowledge can be learned. The ACT theory of skill acquisition and its successor (PUPS--PenUltimate Production System) provides production-system models of…

This paper is a discussion of algebraic factoring. It is suggested that factoring is frequently presented in textbooks and by teachers without specifying one of the great values of this technique; that is, finding some of the factors of any number that can be generated by a particular polynomial. Concrete examples can help students understand the…

Tracing the history of algebra within the U.S. secondary curriculum requires at the same time a review of the various reform movements relevant to secondary education, an acknowledgement of the sociological, political, and psychological perspectives driving these reforms, and most importantly, the perceived role of mathematics in the education of…