This study compares various approaches for incorporating family risk factors in explanatory models of children's achievement over the first 4 years of school. Living in poverty, in a single-parent household, in a household whose primary home language is non-English, and having a mother with less than a high school diploma are well-known risk…

This paper investigates computer literacy related cross-cultural factors that predict academic ability among mathematically gifted Olympians in Finland (N=72, 68 males and 4 females) and the United States (N=80, all males). The following research questions were formulated: (1) What is the nature of the connection between computer skills and…

The gateway to a successful future is not so much knowing your intended career path today but in keeping an open and curious mind about the information you are learning now in your classes and how it relates to potential career opportunities for the future--whether entering the work force after high school, college or advanced studies. This issue…

Previous research has shown that many secondary school students improperly apply linear models when solving non-linear problems involving lengths, area and volume of similar plane figures and solids. This phenomenon is called the "illusion of linearity". This paper presents a teaching experiment in which we developed and tested a learning…

This research brief highlights the role of mathematics in Advanced Technological Education (ATE) programs. In 1994, in response to an urgent national need for highly qualified technicians, the National Science Foundation established a major effort to support innovative programs in Advanced Technological Education, especially in the nation's…

This action research describes a program for improving mathematical problem solving skills. The targeted population consisted of first grade students in a transient, middle class community as well as third and sixth grade students from a growing, middle to upper class in Illinois. The concerns of problem solving were documented through teacher…

In 1985 The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) conducted an extensive investigation of student academic readiness for Texas' institutions of higher education. From the study it was learned that 30% of the students were unable to read, write or compute at desired performance levels. The state's response was the Texas Academic Skills…

This paper explores the practical and theoretical implications of work related to modeling teaching. The main concerns are questions of what theories and models of cognitive and behavioral phenomena such as teaching-in-context might look like and what standards should be used to judge work of this sort. (Contains 26 references.) (DDR)

Noting that the process of playing with blocks supports the groundwork for learning in every area of a child's growth, this paper discusses specific uses of building blocks in the early childhood curriculum to develop a child's physical, social, emotional, artistic, language, scientific and mathematics growth. The paper outlines the contributions…

A 3-year high school program based on functional mathematics (FM) benefits all students, regardless of career goals, by providing a strong background for students entering the workforce and for those moving directly into postsecondary education. A high school curriculum that helps all students master FM would effectively address issues of both…

Graduate Exit Examination for the 21st Century (GEE 21) is an integral part of the Louisiana school and district accountability system passed by the state legislature and signed into law in 1997. The primary purposes of the accountability system are to raise expectations for achievement for all Louisiana public school students and to improve…

The Minnesota Board of Teaching is committed to establishing and maintaining quality standards for the licensing of teachers who teach in Minnesota public schools. As part of these standards, specific and selected examinations serve as important instruments in the licensing process. The principal purpose of the examinations of basic skills is to…

A survey was conducted with 114 junior high, middle grade, and high school LD teachers concerning various aspects of mathematics disabilities in students. The most common deficit areas included division of whole numbers, basic operations involving fractions, decimals, percent, fraction terminology, multiplication of whole numbers, and place value.…

Eight ways to use flash cards in mathematics instruction are described. These games and other gimmicks help increase students' concentration, build memory skills, sharpen thinking skills, and enliven drills. (PP)

This critique focuses on Gagne's attempt to apply information-processing theory to mathematics education, noting that this distorts what it means to learn mathematics. This is discussed with specific illustrations. (MNS)