Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Dps Exemplary Schools Case Study: A Cross-Case Analysis, Honorine Nocon, Alan Davis, Tracy Keenan, Ruth Brancard, Barbara Dray, Heather Johnson, Kara Mitchell, Sally Nathenson-Mejia, Nancy Shanklin, Sheila Shannon, Shruti Poulsen, Maria Thomas-Ruzic, Ron Tzur, Geeta Verma

Geeta Verma

No abstract provided.

Can We Identify Guessing In Student Response Patterns? A Preliminary Analysis Of A Field Trial Design, Chris Freeman

Chris Freeman

This research is grounded in the intersecting theoretical frameworks of validity of assessments (Messick, 1989), and the use of Item Response Theory (IRT) to analyse and report student achievement tests. The research questions seek to investigate the use of data from those assessments and in particular cases where guessing is an acknowledged and in some cases encouraged in student response strategies in multiple choice tests.

Evaluation Of The State Of Georgia's School Instructional Extension Program (Siep) At One Middle School, Taiesha Adams

Taiesha Adams

This study examined the implementation of the State of Georgia's School Instructional Extension Program (SIEP) at one middle school in a rural school district. SIEP was adopted in this district in an effort to improve outcomes for students who demonstrate deficiencies in core-academic subjects. For the past 2 years, SIEP has been used at this study site to address low academic performance in the area of mathematics. However, to date, school leaders have not developed a system to evaluate the efficacy of the program. The purpose of this project study was to conduct a comprehensive program evaluation that addressed the …

Snapshots Issue 4: Boys, Girls And Mathematics, Lisa De Bortoli

Lisa De Bortoli

The most recent OECD Programme for International Assessment (PISA) survey enables educators, policy makers and the wider community to compare Australian students with each other, as well as their counterparts across the world. PISA measures the extent to which 15-year-old students near the end of compulsory education have acquired the knowledge and skills that young adults need to meet the challenges of the future. This issue of Snapshots looks to the data from PISA on similarities and differences in student performance by sex to inform education policies, improve educational outcomes and equity.

Creative Activities In Mathematics : Problem-Based Maths Investigations For Lower And Middle Primary : Book 1., Derek Holton, Catherine Pearn

Catherine Pearn

Problem-based learning is a powerful alternative to drill-and practice or skills-based learning, especially within maths, but it can be difficult to source rich materials that engage an entire class. The Creative Activities in Mathematics series provides a wealth of investigations and open-ended active learning activities, designed to engage students with mathematics and develop their problem-solving, collaboration and mathematical skills. Book One provides 12 different class activities suitable for students in lower and middle primary school (Foundation to Year 4), along with teaching notes and staged lesson plans. Each activity is a whole-class investigation with open-ended answers that takes a particular …

Early Science Learning Experiences: Triggered And Maintained Interest, Mary Ainley, John Ainley

Dr John Ainley

A key question for science educators is how to sustain interest in novel or intriguing scientific phenomena so that interest in science is maintained, with the potential to develop into a more enduring interest as manifested in choice of studies in senior high school and tertiary programs. According to Hidi and Renninger (2006), progress through the phases of interest development depends on the availability of opportunities to engage and re-engage with content of the interest, and on support for taking up those opportunities. In this chapter, The authors investigate the validity of this proposition, examining evidence from early childhood studies, …

Using Competencies To Explain Mathematical Item Demand: A Work In Progress, Ross Turner, Werner Blum, Morgens Niss

Ross Turner

Buried Or Not? What’S Happened To Numeracy?, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

International surveys reveal a worrying decline in adult numeracy development. Dave Tout makes the case for a renewed focus.

Maths + Confidence = Higher Scores For Boys, Sue Thomson, Lisa De Bortoli

Lisa De Bortoli

Teenage boys outperform Australian girls in mathematics by the equivalent of about one-third of a school year, according to the latest PISA survey, as Sue Thomson and Lisa De Bortoli explain.

Don't Subtract Numeracy, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

The development of adults’ core skills for work and life requires attention to language and literacy, but numeracy counts as well, says Dave Tout.

Comparison Of Piaac And Pisa Frameworks For Numeracy And Mathematical Literacy, Iddo Gal, David Tout

David (Dave) Tout

This paper describes key aspects of the frameworks for the assessment of adult numeracy and mathematical literacy in PIAAC and PISA, which are OECD two flagship programs for international comparative assessment of competencies. The paper examines commonalities and differences in how the constructs of adult numeracy and mathematical literacy were assessed in PIAAC and PISA, and sketches selected challenges associated with interpretation of results from these surveys.

Learning And Fearing Mathematics, Sarah Buckley, Kate Reid

Dr Sarah Buckley

Findings from psychology and neuroscience can help educators to better understand the processes underlying children’s learning of, and feelings towards, mathematics. Sarah Buckley and Kate Reid explain.

Influences On Children’S Numeracy Skills, John Ainley

Dr John Ainley

John Ainley reports on an analysis of the impact of background characteristics on young children's numeracy skills.

A Teacher's Guide To Pisa Mathematical Literacy, Sue Thomson, Kylie Hillman, Lisa De Bortoli

Kylie Hillman

This report focuses on mathematical literacy and is one of a series of three reports on Australian students' performance in PISA. The report provides an overview of the PISA mathematics framework and Australia's results in the PISA 2003 international assessment. Also included are mathematics items released for public viewing after the PISA 2003 assessment and examples of responses, marking guides and comparisons of results with other countries. The context behind achievement, e.g. attitudes, engagement and learning strategies, is also presented.

A Teacher's Guide To Pisa Scientific Literacy, Sue Thomson, Kylie Hillman, Lisa De Bortoli

Kylie Hillman

This report focuses on Australian students' performance on the PISA items that have been released in Scientific Literacy. It includes an overview of the PISA Scientific Literacy Framework, Australian students' results in the 2006 international assessment, examples of responses and marking guides and the context behind achievement, e.g. attitudes, engagement and motivation, and recognition of environmental issues.

Using Mathematical Competencies To Predict Item Difficulty In Pisa, Ross Turner, J Dossey, W Blum, M Niss

Ross Turner

The Relationship Between School Resources And Grade 8 Mathematics Achievement: A Comparison Of Palestinian Authority, Israeli Hebrew And Israeli Arab Schools In Timss 2007, Yasin Afana, Petra Lietz, Mollie Tobin

Dr Petra Lietz

The relationship between school resources such as learning materials, computers, and student-teacher ratio and student performance has been shown to be important. In this article, school resources and their relationship with student achievement are compared for Israeli and Palestinian Authority (PA) schools using data from the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement’s (IEA) 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) in the context of eff orts aimed at reducing the differences in resources in schools in Israel. Results of bivariate analyses show some differences regarding the availability of school resources between the three groups of schools …

The Development Of Professional Expertise Through Reflection In The Principalship, Eric Mclaren

Eric McLaren

The study of principals as learners is important because the landscape of public education is changing. Schools are becoming more diverse and the demands on schools more varied and complex. The role of the principal is increasingly ambiguous, complex, and varied. Principals must adapt and develop'their professional practice. Effective principals learn from experience to meet the shifting expectations of the role and the needs of the school. Multiple learning experiences help principals become more proficient in their jobs. Initial certification, induction into the role, continuing professional education, and learning from experiences are means to the development of expertise. This study …

Existing Specialty Schools As Leverage For Behavioral Sciences Research On Teaching And Learning In Stem Fields, Christopher Kolar, Heather Sondel

Christopher G. Kolar

The National Science Foundation has requested comments and proposals that outline challenge questions for the next decade in behavioral sciences research. At the same time, the NSF has joined the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology as well as the National Academy of Sciences in issuing reports first identifying the need for specialized STEM education as a strategic necessity and then proposing the establishment of an additional 1000 specialized STEM schools. A common theme in these reports is that foundational work must be conducted to establish effective organizational and instructional practices for these schools. The authors of this …

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Final Report, Daniel Edwards, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This is the final report bringing together knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the supply, demand and employment outcomes for people with higher degree research (HDR) qualifications in science and mathematics. The report highlights a number of key findings from the overall project. They are: * Australia has a growing supply of people with HDR science and mathematics qualifications. However, university completions in the science and mathematics fields is below that in non-scientific disciplines. * Consultations and case studies suggest that the demand for HDR qualifications in science and mathematics fields is low within private industry. * There is …

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Case Studies, Daniel Edwards, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This is the third report of a research project which examines the supply and demand of people with postgraduate research qualifications in science and mathematics. In the report, four organisations showcase examples of good employment practices which cover issues associated with recruitment, retention, staff development and career paths. The report was completed in November 2008. To gain an overall perspective of the factors influencing supply and demand for this group it is important to consider all the reports in this project.

Supply, Demand And Approaches To Employment By People With Postgraduate Research Qualifications In Science And Mathematics: Stakeholder Consultations, Daniel Edwards, T Smith

Dr Daniel Edwards

This is the second report of a research project which examines the supply and demand of people with postgraduate research qualifications in science and mathematics. Consultations were conducted with key employers of the target group to identify levels and patterns of demand and their views about issues associated with employing these postgraduates. Key factors relating to salary levels, facilitators and barriers to employment were also considered.

Pisa Mathematics - An Insider's View, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

Learning About Students' Mathematical Literacy From Pisa 2003, S Mccrone, J Dossey, Ross Turner, M Lindquist

Ross Turner

Pisa 2003—Mathematical Literacy And Learning In The Americas, John Dossey, Sharon Mccrone, Ross Turner, Mary Lindquist

Ross Turner

Developing Mathematical Literacy, Ross Turner, L Steen, H Burkhardt

Ross Turner

The Roles Of Modelling In Learning Mathematics, Malcolm Swann, Ross Turner, Caroline Yoon, E Muller

Ross Turner

Modelling And Applications In Pisa, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

Pisa – The Programme For International Student Assessment – An Overview, Ross Turner

Ross Turner

El Programa Internacional Para La Evaluación De Los Alumnos (Pisa). Una Perspectiva General, Ross Turner

Ross Turner