Verified Document

Improving Mathematics In Middle School: Article Review

These include: question/answer, lecture, demonstration, discussion, individual student projects, laboratory, technological activities, and supervised practice. Previous research has demonstrated that the use of informal knowledge, real world settings and opportunities to apply mathematical thinking are effective instruction methods for introductory algebra. For this reason, instructional factors are related to achievement in algebra (p. 102). When comparing the test scores from Japan and the United States, House and Telese (2008) found a correlations between positive beliefs in the student's mathematical ability and their test scores. Those who believed they could do well in math performed better than those who expressed a negative opinion about their skills, when compared to their peers. In addition, students who worked problems on their own had higher test scores. This supports Silver's (1998) analysis that much of the reason why American students have poorer test scores than their international peers is due to the classroom instructional practices. Teachers, currently, are not instilling confidence in their students, in their math skills, which negatively affects their test scores.

Falco, Crethar and Bauman (2008) also agree that a middle school student's attitudes towards mathematics affects their learning and test scores. In their study, students received a Skill Builders curriculum, which was school counselor-led and geared toward improving students' attitudes towards mathematics. The authors note that although there is an increased emphasis on the importance of mathematics for the American economy, there is a significant decline in students pursuing math-related degrees and occupations. Of particular concern is the widening gender gap in mathematics interest (p. 231).

The Skill Builders curriculum was developed to increase student competence beliefs. This includes improving their self-efficacy and self-confidence, towards mathematics. Falco, Crethar and Bauman's (2008) study found that students who took part in this program scored significantly higher on their post-test scores. Females also improved...

This also supports Silver's (1998) analysis that teachers and curriculums have a significant effect on improving test scores.
Conclusion:

Today's increasingly globalized world means increased competition not only for American businesses, but also for American students. Americans entering the workforce now must often compete for jobs with candidates from other parts of the world, whether through direct hires or through increasingly outsourced job tasks. For this reason, there are both societal and economic impacts to the educational competitiveness of United States students. Upon reviewing Silver's (1998) analysis of the TIMSS data, it becomes clear that American students are significantly behind their international peers, including countries which the United States is in competition with. Silver offers three recommendations for improving this situation, including: making mathematics a significant national priority with the encouragement that all students can be good at mathematics, improving the mathematics curriculum and an investment in teacher professional development. These theories in how to improve the scores of American students are supported by both House and Telese (2008) and Falco, Crethar and Bauman (2008). Both note that the instructional format and facilitating students' self-confidence in their abilities in mathematics are key factors to improving American students' test scores.

References

Falco, L., Crethar, H. & Bauman, S. (Apr 2008). "Skill-builders: Improving middle school students' self-beliefs for learning mathematics." Professional School Counseling, 11(4). p. 229-235.

House, D. & Telese, J. (Feb 2008). "Relationships between student and instructional factors and algebra achievement of students in the United States and Japan: An analysis of TIMSS 2003 data." Educational Research & Evaluation, 14(1). p. 101-112.

Silver, E. (Mar 1998). Improving mathematics in middle school. Lessons from TIMSS and related research. Retrieved December 14, 2010, from http://www2.ed.gov/inits/Math/silver.html.

Sources used in this document:
References

Falco, L., Crethar, H. & Bauman, S. (Apr 2008). "Skill-builders: Improving middle school students' self-beliefs for learning mathematics." Professional School Counseling, 11(4). p. 229-235.

House, D. & Telese, J. (Feb 2008). "Relationships between student and instructional factors and algebra achievement of students in the United States and Japan: An analysis of TIMSS 2003 data." Educational Research & Evaluation, 14(1). p. 101-112.

Silver, E. (Mar 1998). Improving mathematics in middle school. Lessons from TIMSS and related research. Retrieved December 14, 2010, from http://www2.ed.gov/inits/Math/silver.html.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Middle School Students and High
Words: 2548 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

Program Goals and Behavior Objectives Because arbitrary benchmarks such as standardized test scores will not be used in isolation of other student data, the goals of the action plan envisioned herein will be strictly considered in terms of achieving a positive academic outcome as defined as the student successfully graduating from high school with at least a "C" average; this goal would be applied across the board to all students, with

Middle School Math Teachers Over
Words: 3112 Length: 10 Document Type: Introduction Chapter

These exams would also tap teaching performance and other capabilities unlikely to be adequately assessed using conventional paper along with pencil instruments." (Shulman, 1986, pp. 4 -- 14) These different elements are important, because they are providing a foundation for helping the schools to become more competitive in mathematics. As, they are working together to create a basic standard for: improving learning comprehension and provide the ability to solve more

Reading Comprehension Among Middle School
Words: 1667 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

The Title I reading instructor will become familiar with the Plato Learning content library. The Title 1 reading instructor will begin supplementing classroom instruction with the mini classroom lab using software from Plato Learning. Title I reading instructor will assess classroom performance and modify lab use accordingly. The STAR Reading test results will be evaluated. Survey results on student attitudes towards reading and learning will be compared to April 2007 results. The state standard scores

School Improvement Project Proposal Improving
Words: 4564 Length: 15 Document Type: Term Paper

Causative Analysis There are several causes to why the students did not pass the state standardized test in mathematics and in language arts. It is strongly believe that the students were not adequately prepared for the test because they had not been completing the required assignments and attending the online classes offered by their teachers. Their lack of School Improvement 7 participation in the class, has lead them to a failing

School-Based Intervention Trials for the
Words: 14493 Length: 40 Document Type: Research Proposal

, 1999). In many areas of the country this may be very accurate. Another problem that comes into the picture where obesity in children is concerned is that many parents must work very long hours today to pay bills and have money for what their family needs (Mokdad, et al., 1999). Because of this, many children are latchkey kids and are not watched as closely by their parents as they used

School to Work Programs Initiatives
Words: 921 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

School-to-Work Programs Every school board now offers school-to-work (STW) programs, which are designed to meet the needs of a large portion of today's students - those who are work-bound as soon as they graduate high school. Many of these programs allow students to enroll as apprentices and accumulate hours and experience towards a qualifying certificate in a specific profession while earning credits towards their high school graduation diploma, as well. While advocates

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now