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Eric.ed.gov – Vermont Teachers’ Understanding of Mathematical Problem Solving and “Good” Math Problems.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: For the past five years, Vermont has been developing an innovative statewide assessment system in which portfolios of student work in mathematics and writing are a key element. The use of mathematics portfolios, particularly in elementary school, is a novel aspect of the assessment system. This study examines the elementary school mathematics portfolio assessment and its instructional impact by exploring the conceptions of problem solving, the knowledge of problem-solving strategies, the evaluation of problem-solving tasks, and the instructional practices of 20 fourth-grade teachers. Teachers indicated that the portfolio assessment program has enhanced their understanding of mathematical problem solving and broadened their instructional practices, but that they have encountered difficulty in understanding certain components of the reform and making the relevant changes. Teachers did not share a common… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Facing Equity: Facing Ourselves. Weaving Gender Equity into Math Reform.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This article discusses the issue of defining and facing equity elementary mathematics classrooms. It is argued that teachers have difficulty facing the fact of inequity in classrooms and that a deep conversation about equity is often avoided because many people are uncomfortable with disagreement. Two strategies for promoting in-depth dialogue about equity are presented. It is concluded that educators must confront their personal beliefs and examine how they are affecting students’ lives and student performance. (MM) Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Home-School Connections. Weaving Gender Equity into Math Reform.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This stand-alone workshop session explores the connections between home and school mathematics learning through the lens of equity. It is appropriate for use with teachers, staff developers, after-school program providers, and other educators who work with parents. All three session activities can be done, or the leader can opt to keep the session to one hour by doing the first activity, “Who Are the Parents and Caregivers?”, and then choosing either “Promoting Math Interactions at Home” or “Math Messages” and the videotape “What Are You Teaching My Child?” (Includes blackline masters, details of activities, and handouts.) (MM) Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – On Teaching Problem Solving in School Mathematics

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The article begins with a brief overview of the situation throughout the world regarding problem solving. The activities of the ProMath group are then described, as the purpose of this international research group is to improve mathematics teaching in school. One mathematics teaching method that seems to be functioning in school is the use of open problems (i.e., problem fields). Next we discuss the objectives of the Finnish curriculum that are connected with problem solving. Some examples and research results are taken from a Finnish-Chilean research project that monitors the development of problem-solving skills in third grade pupils. Finally, some ideas on “teacher change” are put forward. It is not possible to change teachers, but only to provide hints for possible change routes: the teachers themselves should… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Toward Instructional Reform in the Math Classroom: A Teacher’s Process of Change.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The reform movement in mathematics education calls for students to engage in problem solving, to discuss and communicate their thinking, and to develop meaningful understandings. This paper reports a case study of a fourth-grade class in line with the reform call, emphasizing the process of change the teacher experienced and the support she needed. The teacher in this study taught mathematics using the Cognitively Guided Instruction approach. Observations, interviews, and student assessments were collected. Reported are four phases of teacher change: (1) the teacher’s teaching and thinking at the beginning of the study; (2) learning, thinking, and stimulating the process of change; (3) learning from and helping individuals; and (4) building on children’s thinking in instruction. Contains 25 references. (MKR) Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Strategies for Improving Math and Science Achievement in Rural Appalachia.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This paper overviews strategies employed by the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI) to implement systemic reform in math, science, and technology education in rural Appalachia. ARSI is one of four Rural Systemic Initiative projects funded by the National Science Foundation to target regions characterized by low population density and high levels of poverty. The initiative targeted 66 counties encompassing 89 school districts in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The ARSI project is based on two fundamental strategies: school and community-based action and technology as a tool for access. Specifically, the initiative involved the creation of six regional resource collaboratives made up of key organizations such as universities and community colleges, business and industry, federal and state agencies, teacher enhancement projects, exemplary schools, and… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – MathWings. Early Indicators of Effectiveness. Report No. 17.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Constructivist approaches to mathematics instruction based on the standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) have been widely advocated and are expanding in use. However, many educators express a need for constructivist approaches that provide specific student materials, assessments, teachers’ manuals, professional development, and other supports to enable a broad range of teachers to succeed with a broad range of children. MathWings, part of a comprehensive school reform effort funded by New American Schools, was designed to accomplish this goal. In grades 3 through 5, MathWings provides a practical, comprehensive approach based on the NCTM standards. Three evaluations have examined the impact of MathWings. One, involving four rural Maryland schools, found substantially greater gains on the mathematics sections of the Maryland School Performance Assessment… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Funding a Better Education: Conclusions from the First Three Years of Student-Based Budgeting in Hartford

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: When the Connecticut State Department of Education published its first district report cards in 2003, it was obvious that the Hartford Public Schools district was struggling. Fewer than half of its students were proficient on the state reading exam. Math performance was better, but 63 percent of 10th-graders and 43 percent of younger students failed to meet proficiency benchmarks. Compared with the state, Hartford looked even worse; its proficiency rates trailed by as many as 39 percentage points. The arrival of Steven Adamowski as district superintendent in 2006 began a new chapter at Hartford Public Schools (HPS). Within months, Adamowski introduced a plan to improve the quality of a Hartford education. The first pillar was school choice, allowing students’ families to choose the schools their children would… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Equity Resource Guide: Weaving Gender Equity into Math Reform.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This resource guide presents information on gender equity in mathematics education reform. The project focuses on how issues of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and language play out in the elementary reform math classroom. The guide is specifically geared toward staff developers and teachers who are implementing new mathematics curricula. The five sections are: (1) an annotated list of relevant research articles and books (education reform, learning patterns, overview, parents, pedagogy, psychology, and strategies for achieving equity); (2) an annotated list of organizations and projects of interest (Internet, CD-ROM, and video); (3) an annotated list of relevant Web sites and other electronic sources; (4) equity tools; and (5) a listing of equity workshops around the country. This guide is a work in progress, with additional sections coming in… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Year 1 State Report: California

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The Center on Standards, Alignment, Instruction, and Learning (C-SAIL) examines how college- and career-readiness (CCR) standards are implemented, whether they improve student learning, and what instructional tools measure and support their implementation. Established in July 2015 and funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education, C-SAIL has worked closely with its five partner states–California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Texas–to explore their experiences with CCR standards-based reform, particularly regarding students with disabilities (SWDs) and English language learners (ELLs). This report examines how the state of California is continuing CCR standards implementation during a time of transition. For the purposes of this report and in keeping with C-SAIL’s focus, the concentration is on implementation of California’s English language arts (ELA) and math standards.… Continue Reading