Reports the findings of a comparative study of elementary students in the United States, Japan, Taiwan, and mainland China. Contrasts student attitude and behavior, intelligence, and achievement levels, and teacher and parent attitudes. Focuses on the factors behind the relative slowness of American children to acquire mathematics skills. (KH)

A review of the educational program for gifted students in the Soviet Union discusses student responsibilities, program admission, and specialized schools featuring foreign languages, mathematics and physics, music, ballet and arts, sports, and "little academics" (advanced studies). (CB)

Annotations and sources are provided for selected computer assisted instructional programs in mathematics (e.g., drill and practice, simulations, and graphics) appropriate for use with learning disabled or retarded learners. This software list includes 13 programs for preschool through grade 3, 15 programs for the elementary grades, and 12…

Sample materials from a primary training packet are included. The packets were developed as a part of a teacher development program aimed at improving elementary mathematics by giving teachers practical ideas. The sample student materials are drawn from the areas of geometry and oral mathematics. (PK)

This "application" worksheet is concerned with water use and conservation. The mathematical topics touched on in the activity include measurement and estimation. (PK)

Article discusses two questions--what is the research base for the recommendations made by the NCTM Standards for School Mathematics Committee and what is the agenda for new research implied by the standards. (PK)

Reviews for three software packages are given. Those packages are: 20/20 Statistics, Graphing Equations, and COMPUCALC. The first package is a set of programs for use in introductory statistics, the second contains four programs for studying the graphing of equations, and the third contains examples and techniques from calculus. (PK)

Argues that while microcomputer and graphing calculators have evolved to a stage where they should be used routinely by mathematics students at all levels, there is sometimes potential to mislead students with computer generated graphs. Examples are included. (PK)

The author suggests that the efficient use of mathematics in everyday life means translating situations into mathematical contexts, using a calculator and mental methods of calculation. Suggestions for teaching these concepts are included. (PK)

The author suggests ideas intended to lead to independent study on topics including trigonometry, Pythagoras, algebra, transformational geometry, primes, and countability. The ideas are based on Islamic patterns devised using a square lattice of dots and repeated reflections. (PK)

Explores the following classical problem: given any 30 points on a circle, join them in pairs by segments in all possible ways. What is the greatest number of nonoverlapping regions into which the interior of the circle can be separated? Presents strategies for solving this problem. (PK)

Information is presented on organizing a geometry fair using student projects. Preparation, construction and display of projects are addressed. Project ideas and suggestions for mathematics supervisors are included. (PK)

Discusses the debate concerning the teaching of calculus. States that some consider calculus reform urgent because of the course's position in undergraduate studies. Considers the quality of mathematics instruction in the computer era. Cites examples of institutional experiments with new course designs. (CW)

Contains a research based discussion of the importance of teacher expectations. Lists 20 suggestions from research that will help facilitate positive and realistic self-concepts in students. (PK)

Presented is a general overview of mathematics anxiety, its definition, and techniques to measure it. Included are a brief discussion of gender-related issues and an analysis of research on effects of mathematics anxiety on elementary teachers. Contained are some intervention strategies and treatments, conclusions and implications for further…