This document evaluates the 1999 Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat (TIMSS-R) results for eighth grade students and compares them to the 1995 results. TIMSS-R compares 38 nations' mathematics and science performance and allows the United States to compare the achievement of its eighth grade students to the original TIMSS.…

This booklet summarizes the findings of the survey of science attainment carried out in 1993 by a team of researchers at Jordanhill Campus, Strathclyde University. The assessment tasks were used with a sample of pupils, selected to be representative of all pupils in Scotland, at three stages--primary 4, primary 7, and secondary 2. The report…

This publication provides a comprehensive overview of work done across all parts of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Each issue contains short publications, summaries, and descriptions that cover all NCES publications, data product, and funding opportunities developed over a 3-month period. Each issue also contains a message…

Florida's Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is preparing all children for success in the mathematics and science, technology-dependent 21st century. Ongoing National Science Foundation funding catalyzed substantial changes in the systemic reform movement of mathematics and science education from 1994-99. The Miami-Dade USI produced…

In response to the need for internationally comparable student achievement data, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) launched the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). PISA represents a commitment by the members of OECD to monitor the outcomes of education systems in terms of student achievement. This…

This report considers the state of science and mathematics achievement in the United States, with a focus on the lower average achievement of minority students and on the relatively high proportion of minority students who achieve at high levels in mathematics and science. The data and analyses available from many sources suggest that meeting the…

Attitudes associated with science appear to affect student participation in science as a subject. This report describes a study of elementary and secondary students that sought to determine students' attitudes toward science and to examine the correlation between attitudes and ability, gender, ethnicity, grade, and science achievement. Findings…

Reviews findings of four national Scottish surveys of science achievement, 1985-97, within the Assessment of Achievement Programme (AAP). Examines AAP responses to changing educational policy and the increasingly political context of national achievement monitoring. Discusses the AAP's contributions to development of standards and practical forms…

Argues that failure to improve the quality of public education since publication of "A Nation at Risk" has cost the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars in unrealized growth. Asserts that policymakers must look beyond the largely ineffective efforts to improve school quality by increasing expenditures and reducing class size.…

Used hierarchical linear models with data from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth to model the growth of student science achievement in biology, physical science, and environmental science during middle and high school. Growth was quadratic across all areas, with rapid growth at the beginning of middle school and slow growth at the ending…

Presented are the results of an analysis of the cognitive stages of tenth-grade pupils using a six-week unit on the respiratory system. The research design, instruments, and data analysis are discussed. A variety of cognitive levels was found and may be related to learning outcomes. (CW)

Investigated the relationships among gender, prior academic performance, beliefs, and student attitudes toward biology laboratory experiences of (n=294) 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Gender, prior academic experience, and beliefs were significant predictors of attitudes. (24 references) (Author/MKR)

Investigated the relationships between (n=220) students' approaches to studying, prior knowledge, logical thinking, and gender and their performance in a nonmajors' college freshman chemistry course. Found that prior knowledge was the best predictor of achievement, followed by formal reasoning ability. (22 references) (Author/MKR)

A control group of 40 eighth graders completed a unit on elements and compounds. An experimental group of 42 completed concept maps on the same topic. Results of a one-tailed T test demonstrated the usefulness of concept maps as advance organizers. (KR)

The performance of two groups of chemistry students, one taught using the traditional lecture method and the other interactive, in solving stoichiometry problems is described. The interactive instruction appears more effective for students who are less adept at information processing. The interaction apparently does not challenge better students,…