This paper describes a follow-up to a 1998 study that reexamined several aspects of elementary science students' achievement, attitudes, and journal writing in conjunction with an Alabama Hands-on Activity Science Program (HASP) grant utilizing the Full Option Science System (FOSS) kit. During the four weeks of the study, 20 fourth grade students…

So far, results from the massive Third International Mathematics and Science Study indicate that American students have not yet achieved national goal number 5--to be first in the world in math and science achievement by 2000. Although fourth graders' results were surprisingly stronger than eighth graders' scores, American students' overall…

A project based on the 1988 National Education Longitudinal Study showed that students in magnet schools scored higher on science, reading, and social studies tests than did students in comprehensive public high schools. Differences may be due to improved social relationships and/or allocation of additional resources from sponsoring school…

Based on 1970s data, the "Heyneman-Loxley (HL) effect" proposed that in developing nations, school variables were more important than family socioeconomic status in determining academic achievement. A reassessment of the HL effect using 1990s TIMSS data found the relationship between family background and student achievement to be…

Summarizes concerns addressed in this special issue on Black students and mathematics, science, and technology education, including the following: (1) the imperative to improve the educational delivery system; (2) the consequences of failure to do so; (3) the necessity of empowerment; (4) the call for a multicultural approach; and (5) the role of…

Textbook-worksheet, traditional laboratory, and problem-solving treatments produced no significant differences in achievement by gender or treatment and no difference in perception by gender, but did produce a significant difference in perception by treatment in (n=268) students, grades 7-8. (21 references) (Author/MKR)

Examines teachers' differing uses of student-gathered data during science investigations. The results show that student language use and concept understanding differed between two different instructional approaches. Suggestions are provided for using student-gathered data in teaching elementary school science. (LZ)

An overview is given of the consensus process for development of the frameworks underlying the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assessments, with emphasis on those for the 1990 and 1992 mathematics assessments, the 1992 reading assessment, and the 1994 science assessments. Innovative techniques for 1992 are described. (SLD)

Focuses on the enhancement of chemistry students' skill in problem solving utilizing problem categorization techniques. Indicates that explicit training in categorization skills can lead to higher achievement in complex problem-solving situations but that such achievement may be limited by the lack of linkages between students' conceptual…

The cognitive factors that contribute to competence in the biological sciences were examined. The role played by cognitive style and analytical ability is discussed. The ability to abstract relevant information, evaluate it, and use it is affected by the skills of analysis and cognitive style. (KR)

Studies of the relationship between students' propositional knowledge (as measured by concept mapping tasks) and their study strategies (as measured by self-report questionnaires) for electricity in first-year university courses are described. The effect of propositional knowledge and prior knowledge on both conceptual knowledge and study…

This study investigated sex differences in chemical problem solving among Nigerian secondary school chemistry students (100 males and 100 females). Male students excelled over the female students in the following problem-solving processes: (1) problem understanding; (2) construction and execution of solution plans; (3) exhibition of structural…

Responds to the most commonly asked questions and criticisms regarding the Third International Mathematics and Science Study's assessment of students at the end of secondary school. Answers cover differences in age and grade levels, differences in enrollment rates, definitions of the U.S. advanced mathematics population, unbelievable numbers,…

Literature reviews and a study conducted in Malawi suggest that poor performance in science among students in developing African countries is caused by the absence of vocational incentives rather than by evidence of a conflict between traditional beliefs and science. Explains that science-performance improvement for students in developing…

Used hierarchical linear models to estimate the extent to which five inquiry-based teacher practices promoted student achievement and reduced achievement gaps among diverse students. Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study suggest that teacher practices that improve overall academic excellence simultaneously are as likely to contribute…