The typical path of instruction in high school algebra courses for the study of polynomial functions has been from linear functions, to quadratic functions, to polynomial functions of degree greater than two. This paper reports results of clinical interviews with an Algebra II student. The interviews were used to probe into the student's…

The benefits of high-level mathematics packages such as Matlab include both a computer algebra system and the ability to provide students with concrete visual examples. This paper discusses how both capabilities of Matlab were used in a multivariate calculus class. Graphical user interfaces which display three-dimensional surfaces, contour plots,…

The experiences of two mathematics teachers at a high school in which assessment reform is being encouraged are described. The school district had decided that the implementation of authentic assessment and assessment reform would be levers to broaden school reforms. Observations in the Algebra 2 class of one teacher and the Algebra 1 class of…

This report describes the success of the LaHarpe (Illinois) Community Unit School District in raising student math scores on the Illinois Goal Assessment Program (IGAP). Low IGAP test results and faculty dissatisfaction with scores precipitated the school district to modify the content and delivery of math instruction based on student needs…

Students undertaking mathematics courses in their final year of secondary education in Victoria are assessed using a combination of school based coursework assessment and examinations. Over the last decade, students have used technology such as graphics calculators, statistical software, spreadsheets, and computer algebra systems (CAS) extensively…

Multi-line-multi-operation calculators such as the TI-80 provide eighth-grade prealgebra and algebra students with significantly better computational tools for basic order-of-operation problems involving integers and signed rational numbers than do calculators offering only last-entry-or-result displays. Effects are more apparent for weaker…

The major goals of this study were to conceptualize a framework for analyzing student conceptions of mathematics, gather baseline information about the conceptions of mathematics held by mathematically talented students and by average high school students, and begin to generate hypotheses about how they are related to the nature of student…

In response to the large numbers of students who were failing or dropping out of basic algebra and calculus classes, Cottey College, in Missouri, developed a math placement program in 1982 using Basic Algebra (BA) and Calculus Readiness (CR) tests from the Mathematical Association of America's Placement Testing Program. Cut off scores for the…

This document provides a preliminary report of the study Gateways To Advance Mathematical Thinking (GAMT) run by Educational Development Center, Inc. (EDC). The study was designed to see what types of reasoning students who have recently completed a linear algebra course apply to problems in algebraic thinking. Student interviews were used as the…

This study gathered information about the impact of mathematics courses designed for paraeducators enrolled in an Urban Preservice Degree Articulation in Teacher Education (UPDATE) program. The goal was for paraeducators to complete mathematics courses with a passing grade, to experience mathematics content using constructivist instructional…

Effects of cooperative group learning on students' motivation and achievement were studied for 62 high school students assigned to cooperative learning or traditional lecture groups. Greater gains were made in achievement, efficacy, valuing of algebra, and learning goal orientation for the cooperative-learning group. (SLD)

As almost every state attempts to reform mathematics instruction by implementing new teaching standards, state testing practices remain largely unchanged. Is there a mismatch between these new standards and the old tests? This question is investigated by examining whether middle school and high school algebra students taught in a manner consistent…

This article reports the results of a questionnaire applied to secondary school students (n=35) to explore efficiency in the resolution of equations in the domain of whole numbers and the spontaneous responses to problems leading to negative solutions. The most significant results obtained with the questionnaire are the lack of knowledge of the…

This paper investigates the effects of a computer algebra system (DERIVE) on students' comprehension and computational skills in Brief Calculus, a first course for non-mathematics majors. Research results indicate better conceptual understanding by the group using DERIVE without the loss of pen-and-paper computational ability. (KHR)

Current educational reform movements focus on mathematics teaching for the empowerment of students and on the classroom as a mathematical community in which students themselves actively question, negotiate, and construct mathematical ideas through classroom discourse. This paper discusses a study that focused on students' use and perception of…