This article describes the development and the initial validation of an instrument that can be used to assess teachers' beliefs about science teaching and learning. The instrument, which is called the Beliefs About Reformed Science Teaching and Learning (BARSTL) questionnaire, draws on the current national science education reform efforts in order…

Reforms in mathematics education call for K-12 teachers to employ standards-based pedagogies, which embody the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics' principles and standards. In order to effectively support teachers' implementation of standards-based curricula, professional development must be provided that meets teachers' needs. The…

This study examined (a) the differences in preservice teachers’ procedural knowledge in four areas of fraction operations in Taiwan and the United States, (b) the differences in preservice teachers’ conceptual knowledge in four areas of fraction operations in Taiwan and the United States, and (c) correlation in preservice teachers’ conceptual…

Science teaching in elementary schools, or the lack thereof, continues to be an area of concern and criticism. Preservice elementary teachers' lack of confidence in teaching science is a major part of this problem. In this mixed-methods study, we report the impacts of an inquiry-based science course on preservice elementary teachers' self-efficacy…

This study examined the extent to which seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics teachers are aware of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards documents, Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics and Principles and Standards for School Mathematics and agree with NCTM's vision of school mathematics as expressed in…

This study was designed to examine the impact of participating in an after-school robotics competition on high school students' attitudes toward science. Specifically, this study used the Test of Science-Related Attitude to measure students' social implications of science, normality of scientists, attitude toward scientific inquiry, adoption of…

This study explored the themes that comprise preservice teachers' attitudes regarding discourse in the K-12 mathematics classroom. The initial development of the theory underlying preservice teachers' attitudes regarding mathematical discourse is documented through the development of a 5-point Likert instrument. Analysis of the Preservice…

The purpose of this study was to develop and establish the validity and reliability of an instrument to measure students' attitudes toward geometry. Participants consisted of 264 undergraduate students from two universities, one in the Midwest and one in the Southwest. The instrument is a 5-point Likert-scaled survey consisting of 32 statements…

Teacher education programs are cognizant of the need to prepare preservice teachers (PTs) to work effectively with children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Well-constructed field experiences can help PTs develop awareness and gain understanding of important cultural considerations related to effective teaching and learning (Sleeter, 2001). This…

Describes changes in teacher attitudes after completion of an inservice energy education workshop. Although there was a decrease in favorable attitudes towards curricular change, there was a modest, positive effect on participants (N=132) which should help to promote energy education. (DH)

A three-year research project in England investigated the probability concepts of students aged 11-16. A 26-item test was administered to 2,930 students. The development and test results of one item are presented to illustrate the difficulty of item construction and interpretation. (MNS)

Presents a study to assess scientific literacy of a group of students at a moderately sized midwestern university (n=90). Describes the methodology used to create a multiple-choice test field tested on 75 elementary preservice teachers. Outcomes indicate that achievement was not influenced by age, sex, high school size, or a possible future career…

Presents results of 46 randomly selected children's performance measurement and partitive division problems when remainders are zero, nonzero but not used in the solution, and nonzero and used in the solution. Results indicate that children demonstrate an understanding of division prior to formal instruction. (MDH)

Describes a study whose purpose was to develop and validate a set of belief scales for measuring secondary school and college students' beliefs about mathematics as a subject, how mathematics is learned, and mathematical problem solving. Provides an example of the "Indiana Mathematics Belief Scales." (MDH)

Presents a study to examine the effects of a verbal teaching strategy versus a strategy providing instruction using activities and manipulatives in four seventh grade earth science classes with students of varying cognitive abilities (n=83). Results indicate that students with more cognitive structures perform better and that using manipulatives…