Reports on a study designed to investigate aspects of young children's knowledge of fractions and partitions of quantities. Findings suggest that although children did not have a deep understanding of the concept of one half, a significant number demonstrated a powerful systematic procedure leading to the creation of accurate equal fractional…

A student was observed practicing arithmetic with a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system. She enjoyed practice and believed that it helped. However, she consistently failed to solve problems on the computer that she could do with pencil and paper. This paper suggests reasons for her problems and draws implications for CAI. (Author/PK)

Formative validation methods were used with over 90 mathematics teachers in Utah to design an assessment of the mathematical and mathematics teaching cognitive competencies of underprepared middle and secondary school mathematics teachers. A summative validation study using 47 subjects indicated that the test was valid and reliable. (Author/PK)

During the first 12 weeks of an applied calculus course, two classes of college students studied calculus concepts using graphical and symbol-manipulation computer programs to perform routine manipulations. Three weeks were spent on skill development. Students showed better understanding of concepts and performed almost as well on routine skills.…

Many black students, female students, and students of low socioeconomic status do not achieve up to their potential in mathematics. A model to explain group differences in performance is presented. Relevant research results are included, along with suggestions for future research to test the model. (PK)

Although many articles in the education literature recommend how to teach statistics more effectively, there is little published research on how students actually learn statistics concepts. The literature reviewed in this paper indicates a need for collaborative, cross-disciplinary research on how students come to think correctly about probability…

Reports on a study to determine the development of children's understanding of seven properties of the arithmetic mean and to assess the effects of material used in the testing and the medium of presentation. Some differences were found in children's reasoning. No significant differences were found for materials or medium of presentation. (PK)

Reports on a study to determine if female high school students scored as high as male high school students on New York State Regents examinations in mathematics. Results indicated that if female students had an instructional history similar to that of male students they performed as well. (PK)

Presents the 17th annual listing of mathematics education research published by this journal. Lists references alphabetically by author within the three categories of research summaries, articles, and dissertations. Indexes appropriate references with an age or grade level. Annotates studies which focused on mathematics education. (TW)

Reports on the progress of a project designed to establish both a research agenda for mathematics education and a conceptual framework for such an undertaking. Describes four conferences which have been organized to consider teaching problem solving, effective teaching, teaching and learning algebra, and middle school number concepts. (TW)

Reports developments in mathematics education research for 1985. Items discussed are: (1) establishment of the Mathematical Sciences Education Board; (2) Journal for Research in Mathematics Education monograph series; (3) National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Research Advisory Committee Research Award Program; (4) Research Agenda Project;…

Three models are compared in terms of detail, scope, attention to individual differences, and how they deal with qualitative change and semantic processing. Two are information-processing models of arithmetical word problem-solving performance, and the third is a model of children's counting types and thinking strategies. (MNS)

Senior-year mathematics test scores are highly dependent on the number of mathematics courses taken at the level of Algebra I or above. Sophomore students with similar levels of mathematics achievement may be expected to improve similarly regardless of race or sex by taking additional mathematics courses. (MNS)

Concrete problems were significantly less difficult than abstract problems at both junior and senior high school levels, as previously observed at elementary school level. Factual problems were significantly less difficult than hypothetical problems at junior and senior high school levels, in contrast to elementary school results. (MNS)

For an entire school year, 24 seventh-grade classes were taught problem-solving strategies; in 14 of these classes the instruction was supplemented by calculators. Mixed findings resulted for both problem solving and calculator use. (MNS)