Noting that portfolios contain the students' best efforts at writing and mathematics problem-solving skills, this pamphlet discusses issues surrounding Vermont's portfolio assessment program from the parent's point of view. The pamphlet discusses reasons to use portfolios, how portfolios differ from traditional ways of looking at students' writing…

This study reviews the literature on gender issues in human development, focuses on student revealing differences in specific abilities of males and females, and discusses whether those differences are as well established as the literature suggests. The research literature is examined from the following perspectives: perception, physical/motor…

The six articles in this issue tackle topics that relate to the role and function of numeracy in adult life. "Reading Comprehension in Written Mathematics Problems" (Sue Wareham) examines the levels of reading ability required of numeracy students and offers strategies to help students with limited reading skills. "Can Ordinary…

This guide is organized around a list of skills that all students should know and be able to do at each grade level from kindergarten through sixth grade. It provides parents, teachers, and students with knowledge of what is being taught in a logical scope and sequence by grade level. The purpose of this guide is to help build a basis for…

A study was conducted at San Jose City College (SJCC) to identify and track 163 new students enrolled in Math 310 over a period of several semesters. Data on the students' competency and persistence rates were collected for fall 1990 and spring 1991, along with subsequent math class enrollments and success rates. Study findings included the…

In the State of Florida, the percentage of tenth grade students passing the Statewide Student Assessment Test-Part II (SSAT-II) Mathematics has declined one or two percentage points each year since 1985. Early, accurate identification and placement of these students for remedial instruction should help reverse this Florida trend. Accurate…

Ithaca College, in New York, has developed and tested a projects-based first-year calculus course over the last 3 years which uses the graphs of functions and physical phenomena to illustrate and motivate the major concepts of calculus and to introduce students to mathematical modeling. The course curriculum is designed to: (1) emphasize on the…

This document offers instructional materials for a 60-hour course on basic math operations involving decimals, fractions, and proportions as applied in the workplace. The course, part of a workplace literacy project developed by Mercer County Community College (New Jersey) and its partners, contains the following: course outline; 17 lesson…

This study analyzed data to identify courses which have been associated with improved mathematics and quantitative reasoning ability among students who enter college with high verbal skills but low math skills. The study used the Coursework Cluster Analytic Model (CCAM) to analyze the course sequences of students with high verbal and low math…

This booklet contains 30 one-page strategies for teaching mathematical skills needed for office procedures. All the strategies are suitable for or can be adapted for special needs students. Each strategy is a classroom activity and is matched with the skill that it develops and its technology/content area (communications and/or mathematics). Some…

Mathematics problem solving skills need to be developed through meaningful interactions. Computer simulations combined with cooperative learning methods provide students a context within which to construct an understanding of mathematics problem solving. This study examines the distribution and sequence of events that result in acquisition of…

Due to the changing labor market needs, a statewide core curriculum for the general marketing program for Wisconsin was explored. Voluntary standardization has resulted in difficulty in determining a mandated curriculum. In 1984, a national model core curriculum, occupational valid competencies, and a mission of marketing education were developed.…

Principles of Technology was designed as a high school course in applied science for vocational students in the 11th and 12th grades in Leander, Texas. It consists of a 2-year curriculum covering 14 units in applied physics: (1) force; (2) work; (3) rate; (4) resistance; (5) energy; (6) power; (7) force transformers; (8) momentum; (9) waves and…

This study focuses on possible factors which contributed to the low mathematics scores achieved by Florida's 11th graders on the 1977 Functional Literacy Test. The authors developed preliminary hypotheses to explain the low scores based upon professional conjecture, analyses of test items, and examination of item data from the October 1977 test…

Data on characteristics and accomplishments of the Highline Public Schools' Excellence in Education Grant Program at Gregory Heights Elementary School are reported. The program, which involves second through sixth grade students, was implemented to increase academic learning time, mathematics and reading scores, and total volunteer time. Factors…