Develops procedures for the automatic generation and incorporation of graphics (both statistical and analytical) into mathematically oriented multiple choice examinations. Uses an integrated spreadsheet to create and associate tabular data, diagrams, questions, and answers. Illustrates the process of constructing multiple choice questions and…

Argues that "appropriate practical work" in mathematics aids understanding. Presents ideas and activities for teaching mechanics. Discusses modelling, problem formulation, and interpretation. (PK)

Fifth graders performed better than third graders on discovering the function rule relating two number pairs. Task difficulty and mode of presentation (graphic or symbolic) varied by function. The children seemed ready to relinquish a hypothesis in the face of disconfirming evidence. (MNS)

Using data from High School and Beyond, this study empirically investigated the extent of within-variable, between-occasion error covariances among variables included in educational achievement models. Little evidence was found to support the statement that reliability estimates for social background variables are inflated because of correlated…

Multidimensional item response data were created. The strength of a general factor, the number of common factors, the distribution of items loadingon common factors, and the number of items in simulated tests were manipulated. LOGIST effectively recovered both item and trait parameters in nearly all of the experimental conditions. (Author/JAZ)

This paper presents parallel estimates of structural equation models to explain children's educational attainment over first grade. One set of estimates is based on a 3-school sample drawn in 1971-77 and another on a 20-school sample drawn in 1982-83. The evidence suggests that, within reasonable limits, results are comparable. (Author/JAZ)

The Lisrel-model with structured means was used to study similarities and differences in the development of mathematical ability between two student groups as measured by two tests on three successive occasions. Procedures for testing models to assess the contribution on an individual parameter to the goodness of fit are described. (Author/BS)

High School and Beyond data set and path analytic techniques were used to compare Black and Hispanic high school seniors' achievement in public and in Catholic schools. When better ability measures were added to the causal models the apparent effect of Catholic schooling on minority achievement was greatly reduced. (Author/BS)

Publicly-provided grants have a significant, positive effect on high school seniors' decisions to enroll in college, particularly among lower income groups. Other types of student financial aid have no measurable effect, according to a study using a binomial logic model based on a multiperiod household utility maximization model. (PGD)

Discusses the development of problem-oriented mathematics materials for a wide variety of students. Materials include teaching guides, student materials, case studies in mathematical modeling, and project activities. Examples of these materials (including a sports-related activity for students who have not had success in mathematics) are provided.…

Presents a system model for transmission of input data that is coming from terminals of users in a limited user resource-sharing environment. Performance of a mini/microcomputer receiving mixture of picture-phone terminal data is analyzed with constant service times, synchronous transmission, and single-server interruptions through first-order…

Describes recent research attempts to draw inferences about the relative standing of the states on the basis of mean SAT scores. This paper identifies five serious errors that call into question the validity of such inferences. Some plausible ways to avoid the errors are described. (Author/LMO)

Hardware for computer-assisted learning is discussed in three papers. Two papers report on projects using computer graphics, one for teaching structural analysis to university students and the other to teach graph concepts at the secondary level. Guidelines for selecting microcomputers focus on analyzing applications and matching them with…

The theoretical rationales and procedures of five adaptive computer-based instruction models were reviewed: the mathematical model, the regression model, the Bayesian probabilistic model, the testing and branching model, and artificially intelligent instructional systems. Each model is assessed for contrast of methods and forms, identifiable…

Using 559 fifth graders, measures were collected to assess multiple dimensions of academic self-attribution, self-concept, and inferred self-concept, and academic achievement. The specificity and predictability of the observed patterns of relations support the construct validity of interpretations based on both the self-attribution and…