Study investigated how to characterize students' transformational geometry problem-solving strategies, how strategies characterized particular subjects, and how strategy usage related to performance. Videotapes indicated problem-solving responses could be classified consistently, some students preferred holistic processing, some items readily…

A study (n=510) investigated students' cognitive and noncognitive variables predicting success and persistence in an undergraduate engineering program. Students performing well in science and mathematics and genuinely interested in engineering were more likely to persist and succeed. Predictor variables changed over the students' first two years.…

Describes the theoretical framework and structure of the Teaching Excellence for Minority Student Achievement in the Sciences (TEMSAS) program and presents the outcomes for 483 preadolescent youths, 86% of whom were at-risk of low academic productivity. The paper discusses the program's efforts at building student confidence and academic…

An algebra class at Navajo Community College (Shiprock, New Mexico) uses traditional algebra topics to study real-life situations, focuses on environmental issues, encourages collaborative learning, uses modern technology, and promotes development of critical thinking and decision-making skills. Students follow principles of Dine educational…

Reports on the reading interests of 450 Russian secondary school graduates enrolled in a mathematics and physics-oriented technical school in Moscow. Finds that students' interests changed during two periods in recent Russian history: (1) 1988-1990--the perestroika period; and (2) 1991-1992--the "market" period. (CFR)

Discusses whether urban schools' efforts at reforming mathematics should specifically address students acquiring English or assume students' needs will be addressed under the broader aegis of reform. The article addresses thoughts about the bilingual mathematics learner, curriculum, teaching, assessment, and evaluation in which collaborative…

Describes the Instructional Software Design Project conducted in a LOGO-based learning environment in a Boston inner-city public school with fourth graders engaged in the design and production of educational software to teach fractions. Constructionist views of computers in education are discussed, and learning processes are examined. (Contains 58…

Describes the effort of a middle-school teacher to incorporate heterogeneous grouping into her math class. One day per week, heterogeneously grouped math students worked in teams to solve and present solutions to different kinds of logic problems. Suggests that flexibility and freedom to be creative are the keys for incorporating new ideas into…

Describes the work of a team of university and public school mathematics educators to design mathematics assessment tasks that are effective for at-risk students. Perspectives are offered on the need for alternative mathematics assessment and the dangers inherent in the undertaking. Practical design considerations are discussed. (SLD)

The seven chapters of this special issue identify research issues related to sex differences and mathematics achievement in an international context and consider some possible explanations, including neuropsychological differences, learning strategies, and attitudes. Recommendations are made for educational policy, curriculum development, and…

The effects of personal and teaching efficacy on teachers' use of curriculum-based measurement (CBM) and on student achievement were studied. Nineteen special education teachers each monitored 2 elementary school students with mild disabilities over 16 weeks in math computation using CBM. Teachers with high personal and teaching efficacy more…

Maintains that partnering history and social studies with mathematics, science, and language arts provides opportunities for relevant and meaningful history. Argues that chronology is the single most important unifying factor in history. Asserts that teachers must engage students in the why and how of history. (CFR)

Describes a science and math pilot project developed for Mohawk junior high school students in Ahkwesahsne (Canada) that integrates Iroquois culture with Western approaches to learning science. Curriculum units are based on the Mohawk Thanksgiving Address that acknowledges all aspects of life. Includes a passage examining differences between…

Describes Internet use for electronic mail projects in elementary education. Discusses typing directly versus composing offline, and the effect of electronic letter-writing activities on improving grammar, spelling, social studies, science, and mathematics skills. (AEF)

Studied the role of textbooks in elementary education. Found that the influence of textbooks on teachers' thinking and on classroom instruction was somewhat less than the literature indicates. Patterns of textbook use were not consistent across academic subjects. Conditions of elementary education encourage selective and variable textbook use. (BB)