A method is proposed for the detection of item bias with respect to observed or unobserved subgroups. The method uses quasi-loglinear models for the incomplete subgroup x test score x item 1 x ... x item k contingency table. If the subgroup membership is unknown, the models are the incomplete-latent-class models of S. J. Haberman (1979). The…

The use of loglinear latent class models to detect item bias was studied. Purposes of the study were to: (1) develop procedures for use in assessing item bias when the grouping variable with respect to which bias occurs is not observed; (2) develop bias detection procedures that relate to a conceptually different assessed trait--a categorical…

The learning of word problems in mathematics is viewed as particularly difficult. The first paper in this report takes into consideration the semantic aspects of problems, by viewing the difficulties that children have solving two-step multiplication problems. An initial study was carried out with 36 children between the ages of nine and fourteen…

This guide represents the final experimental version of a pilot project which was conducted in the United States between 1973 and 1976. The ideas and the manner of presentation are based on the works of Georges and Frederique Papy. They are recognized for having introduced colored arrow drawings ("papygrams") and models of our numeration…

This curriculum guide for grades K-6 is the first volume of a two-part series. It is meant to provide an ordered sequence of mathematical concepts from which teachers may organize an arithmetic program allowing for individual student progress with the greatest amount of individual attention. Each topic is arranged into levels based on the topic's…

Activities are described that reinforce knowledge of multiplication facts and also give students practice in making generalizations that improve problem-solving skills and provide a foundation for work with fractions. (MNS)

In contrast to the traditional top-down approach, a bottom-up approach is proposed by current reform in mathematics education. According to this alternative proposal, algorithmizing is the activity in which students should be involved. What can we do when we want to enact such an algorithmizing approach in a classroom and our students have already…

Activities that allow students to represent patterns concretely before showing the patterns in color on paper are presented. Three basic activities are described, with suggestions made for extensions that allow further pupil exploration of multiples. Student discovery of relationships not found by the teacher is expected. (MP)

Activities are described in which number patterns in two-digit multiplication exercises are investigated. (DT)

Presents an instructional strategy for teaching how to solve word problems and understand the operations involved. Describes the acquisition method of the part-whole relationships of problem situations. Provides some samples of the instructional strategy used and classroom test results. Lists nine references. (YP)

Provides methods of teaching negative number operations, including addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Presents examples and activities for the operations. (YP)

How children give meaning to problems solved by multiplying or dividing is considered. After showing two cases of children's understanding of multiplication problems, six recommendations for classroom practice are presented. (YP)

Interviews with in-service elementary teachers (n=32) who were asked to solve multiplicative problems showed that teachers who solved problems relationally reasoned in terms of ratio and proportion concepts, whereas teachers who arrived at correct solutions without the concepts did so using a trial-and-error method. (24 references) (Author/MKR)

Primary students can learn about computation and estimation by reading a story about the use of money, then following up with estimation and calculation activities. Intermediate students can explore the relationship between addition and multiplication using a computation game, collaborating on when, how, and why they use addition and…

Describes the psychological analysis of the instruction of the concept of multiplication in the former Soviet Union. Presents a system of instructional situations in introducing multiplication and the main results of instruction for grade two. (MDH)