A qualitative study of 15 ninth grade math students required to write a paper showing how math is used in the real world revealed differences in how teachers and students perceive research. Discusses student and teacher interpretations of the project; student reactions to the process, support materials, and grades; and student feelings about the…

Driven by Goals 2000 legislation, partnerships involving schools, businesses, and universities are preparing students for technically sophisticated workplaces. The Kids at Work project initiated by Project SMART (Science/Mathematics Applied Resources for Teaching) is a New York State validated approach to improving elementary math and science…

In a survey, 80 businesses, mostly small, ranked 13 educational attributes expected of college students with a business education. Factor analysis shows four distinct skill areas expected from an ideal business education program: research, interpersonal, basic, and quantitative skills. In general, employers expect to hire well-rounded students,…

Discusses the principles of teaching that can help students to be actively, purposefully engaged in their learning. Describes current innovations in reading, language arts, and mathematics education. Introduces the constructivist principles and teaching practices that can facilitate implementation of current instruction innovations. (MOK)

Four "fables" from the perspectives of four university collaborators describe the transformation of the original Mathematics and Science Collaborative Project (University of New Hampshire and four Durham, New Hampshire, middle and high schools) as its participants and leaders tried to balance the demands of an externally funded project…

Longitudinal data on over 2,000 students, beginning in seventh grade, were used to examine mobility patterns among instructional tracks over students' high school careers. Results indicate considerably more track mobility than is typically assumed. Most track changes occurred in the later grades and were related to gender, race, and family income.…

Six classes received problem-centered mathematics instruction for two years in second and third grade. Results indicate that students in these classes scored significantly higher than students in traditional classes on standardized measures of computational proficiency and conceptual understanding. (TO)

Our minds are shaped by youthful learning opportunities. Different forms of cultural representation (art, poetry, or mathematics) influence the processes and products of thinking, develop different cognitive skills, influence perceptions, can be combined to provide enriching experiences, and call on different skills and forms of thinking.…

Explores how Cantonese-speaking math students and their teacher use different languages to achieve academic and social success in their multilingual classroom in Toronto. The article discusses inter-ethnic tensions related to the use of languages other than English and raises questions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of multilingual…

Using the unified salary schedule for secondary school teachers results in adverse market selection for teachers. This study compares alternative (nonteaching) salaries for math and English teachers with teaching salaries and examines these salary structures' effects on learning outcomes. Higher nonteaching salaries for teachers of any subject…

A cooperative learning approach in business administration courses is described, including projects and activities for three course types: management science; operations management; and mathematics education. Adaptation of the activities for specific classes is discussed, and student response to the method in one institution is examined. The…

Describes challenges facing College Board's efforts to expand Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses to provide equal access to previously underserved low-performing urban and rural school students while maintaining the program's high academic standards. Includes list of strategies school boards can use to achieve greater access to A.P. courses while…

A study on gender and computer use surveyed 773 ninth-grade students from Tokyo (Japan) and from Stockholm (Sweden). Regardless of country, males reported higher scores of aptitude with and enjoyment of computers than females did. Overall, boys also showed more positive attitudes toward mathematics and sciences; girls consistently reported…

Three study cohorts involving 199 gifted fifth graders, 190 gifted sixth graders, and 683 typical sixth graders were used to construct, validate, and pilot a computerized adaptive math test for placing fifth graders in a middle school mathematics gifted program. Results suggest the adaptive test has potential for talent identification. (Author/CR)

Presents activities to integrate money concepts, and in turn mathematical concepts, with other curriculum areas in the early childhood classroom. Offers suggestions in such areas as children's books on money concepts (a short list is provided), dramatic play, science explorations, creative art and language activities, food or cooking activities,…