Provides validity evidence for a new instrument that assesses a career-related self-efficacy intervention for Hispanic and Latino students. Focuses on the broad area of career decision making and on math and science tasks. Results indicate adequate validity of the instrument, particularly for women and minority students. (RJM)

Outlines and discusses four unique and major challenges facing the undergraduate statistics instructor. These are motivating students to study material they think is uninteresting, handling mathematics anxiety, dealing with performance extremes, and making the learning memorable. Offers solutions for each challenge. (MJP)

Finds progress in the area of curriculum (increasing graduation requirements) since publication of "A Nation at Risk," but argues that some educational interest groups, especially teacher unions, have succeeded in blocking certain "Risk" recommendations requiring real changes, such as extending the school year, while supporting…

Includes 22 articles that address the use of Canadian statistics in the classroom. Highlights include the Statistics Canada Web site; other Web resources; original sources; critical thinking; debating with talented and gifted students; teaching marketing; environmental resources; data management; social issues and values; math instruction; reading…

The effects of performance assessment on student learning were studied in third grades in three suburban schools and matched control schools. Performance measures did not produce clear and immediate improvements in student learning, but some positive changes were seen in mathematics. (SLD)

Describes a unit that applies constructivist teaching methods to a science concept. Contains mini-lessons in math that present to students information that they need to know in order to perform their experiments. Gives students the opportunity to construct their own knowledge about the natural phenomenon of light as they apply their mathematical…

Describes the use of writing activities as tools for teaching mathematics while helping students develop communication and reasoning skills. Writing takes the form of formal essays about mathematical problems, writing to prompts, or focused journal writing. Students learn to clarify, refine, and consolidate thinking. Children learn mathematics…

Discusses the International Survey on Reading Abilities in Primary School (IGLU) and its data on achievement in reading, mathematics, and natural science. Compares this data to that collected by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Identifies achievement relevant correlations such as gender, migration background, socioeconomic…

Describes a study to identify sociodemographic, academic, and attitudinal variables that differentiate between male and female and White and Hispanic community college students with different levels of academic preparation enrolled in mathematics and science courses. (DMM)

In this study, students' achievement using three individualized audiotutorial (IAT) biology learning units was investigated. The method of instruction, gender, academic achievement in mathematics and biology, and students' IQ levels were compared. (KR)

Examines Black underrepresentation in American science and engineering and barriers to Black participation. Describes programs sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, including Linkages and the Black Churches Project, encouraging science and mathematics programing for Black and other minority students. Reaffirms Black…

The Corsicana (Texas) high school assistant principal recounts how 34 consistently failing math and reading senior underachievers successfully passed the Texas statewide tests after they were taught all coursework through their preferred learning styles in a supportive environment. (Author/DB)

Reviews the Apple II program "Area and Volume" which investigates the areas and volumes of polygonal regions, circles, and solids for grades 6-12. Provides information updates on three programs: True BASIC 2.0, Turbo BASIC 1.0, and Microsoft QuickBASIC 3.0. (MVL)

Five articles and a commentary on curriculum-based assessment (CBA) are presented. Article topics include a comparison of CBA models, computer applications, development of written retell for CBA in secondary programs, development of math skills in low-achieving high school students via CBA, and methods of summarizing trends in student achievement.…

Notes the computer has progressed from being a fast calculating machine to becoming an important tool for the whole academic spectrum. Discusses the development of new courses being offered to develop skills and knowledge in computational physics. (Author/MVL)