This document summarizes the results of a dissertation (M. Alford, 1999) that focused on the success of Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), North Carolina, students who failed Algebra I in 1994-1995 and retook it during the 1995 summer session or the 1995-1996 regular school year. Success was defined by three measures of student learning:…

Details a study in which grade 9 females were assigned to either an all-female or mixed-sex algebra class. Findings indicate that the all-female intervention group demonstrated a greater gain in math scores between grades 8-11 than the nonintervention group. Contains 41 references. (DDR)

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…

Beginning in Spring 1998, Virginia students participated in the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments designed to test student knowledge of the content and skills specified in the state's standards. This document contains questions that students were required to answer as part of the SOL End-of-Course assessments. These questions are…

This final report and appended conference proceedings describe activities of the Earth Math project, a 3-year effort at Kennesaw State University (Georgia) to broaden and disseminate the concept of Earth Algebra to precalculus and mathematics education courses. Major outcomes of the project were the draft of a precalculus textbook now being…

Proposes lessons for algebra students using the context of tax calculations to learn about the concepts of slope, split functions, averages, rates, marginal rates, and percents. Students explore ramifications of possible tax revisions. (MDH)

Features activities for advanced second-year algebra students in grades 11 and 12. Introduces three random variables and considers an empirical and theoretical probability for each. Uses coins, regular dice, decahedral dice, and calculators. (ASK)

Explores relationships among enrollment in algebra or a foreign language in eighth grade, level of mathematics or foreign-language courses taken in high school, and application to a four-year college or university. (Author/SLD)

This book contains an interactive calculator and worksheet program designed to teach the graphing of some of the functions that appear in high school mathematics courses. The graphs of linear, exponential, and logarithmic functions are explored as well as other functions. Activities focus on the graph that appears as a standard part of algebra…

This study compared the effects of two different special educator roles within high school algebra classes containing special needs students. The special educator served as either in-room assistant or as co-teacher. The study was conducted for one chapter of algebra study over a 3-week period. No significant differences between groups were found…

Hierarchical (adaptive) and linear methods of testlet construction were compared. The performance of 2,080 ninth and tenth graders on a 4-item testlet was used to predict performance on the entire test. The adaptive test was slightly superior as a predictor, but the cost of obtaining that superiority was considerable. (SLD)

An incident light ray parallel to the optical axis of a parabolic mirror will be reflected at the focal point and vice versa. Presents a mathematical proof that uses calculus, algebra, and geometry to prove this reflective property. (MDH)

Described are materials developed to add to existing complex-number units and how they have been used in second-year algebra and precalculus classes. Discussed is software developed, objectives, and classroom materials. Two worksheets are included. A computer program is provided. (CW)

North Carolina began implementing End of Course (EOC) tests in 1985-86, In 1998-99, student achievement for high school students was measured through results on the 10 required multiple choice EOC tests, the state's writing assessment, and the percentage of students who completed college preparatory courses of study. This report contains the…

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)