Since slope is a fundamental topic that is embedded throughout the U.S. secondary school curriculum, this study examined standards documents for all 50 states to determine how they address the concept of slope. The study used eleven conceptualizations of slope as categories to classify the material in the documents. The findings indicate that all…

Research on student achievement within the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP) and Core-Plus Mathematics Project (CPMP) at the secondary level is beginning to accumulate, however, much less is known about how prepared these students are for post-secondary education. Therefore this study involving students within one tracked…

In this article, the author discusses the advantages of using the interactive engagement instructional method. A model of interactive engagement (IE) instructional method involves questioning students by challenging them to think deeply about a problem or complex question. Essential to this process is frequent and thoughtful interaction with the…

Although the reform literature in mathematics and science is replete with calls for the integration of math and science, there remain precious few empirical studies examining the prerequisite skills, beliefs, knowledge bases, and experiences necessary for teachers to implement integrated instruction. The initial intent of this study was to examine…

Reports on a study designed to measure changes in students' science proficiency produced by a multimedia learning environment. Describes the inquiry-based design of Astronomy Village, which supports middle school students in learning fundamental concepts in life, earth, and physical sciences. Results indicate sizable treatment effects for two…

Introduces The Square Thing, a lesson that engages and invites student development of problem solving and reasoning skills, understanding through connections within the content, and mathematics voice. Describes components for successful pedagogy and benefits for students experiencing this and similar mathematics pedagogies. (Author/MM)

Scores student-constructed concept maps (n=17) that emerged from post-instructional interviews about chlorofluorocarbons against a teacher-expert map using a scheme weighted for relationships. Supports the recommendations of others to use expert referents and emphasize concept relationships in assessing concept maps. (Author/MM)

Discusses potential pedagogical difficulties arising from using physics-related contexts in high-school mathematics problems. Suggests that such problems should not require any external knowledge of physics by the students; meanwhile, the problems should not contradict the physics knowledge that the students may already have. Presents several…

Examines the conceptions of nature of science (NOS) possessed by a group of gifted seventh-grade students from Taiwan. Concludes that there were no significant changes in students' views of NOS after instruction, possibly due to time limitations and a ceiling effect. (Author/MM)

Describes the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP), a 25-item classroom observation protocol that is standards-based, inquiry-oriented, and student-centered. Provides the definition for reform and the basis for evaluation of the Arizona Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (ACEPT). Concludes that reform, as defined…

Reports on a case study investigating how secondary preservice mathematics teachers perceive the need for and the benefits of formal proof when given geometric tasks in the context of dynamic geometry software. Results indicate that preservice teachers are concerned that after using dynamic software, high school students will not see the need for…

Reports the barriers and pathways that were experienced during a 3-year period when an induction program for secondary science teachers was developed and implemented. (Author/MM)

Presents an activity in which students work in cooperative groups and roll balls down inclined planes, collect data with the help of an electronic motion detector, and represent data with a graphing calculator to explore concepts such as mass, gravity, velocity, and acceleration. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/ASK)

Interviews 22 high school precalculus students to examine their understanding of slope as measure. Indicates that students demonstrated a better understanding of slope in functional situations, but many students had trouble interpreting slope as measure of rate of change. Suggests that instruction should focus on helping students form connections…

Investigates the contribution of conceptual change texts accompanied by concept mapping instruction to 10th-grade students' understanding of the human circulatory system. Indicates that the conceptual change texts accompanied by concept mapping instruction produced a positive effect on students' understanding of concepts. Concludes that students…