Public concern about how well U.S. schoolchildren are learning math- ematics is abundant and growing. The globalization of markets, the spread of information technologies, and the premium being paid for workforce skills all emphasize the mounting need for proficiency in mathematics. Media reports of inadequate teaching, poorly designed curricula, and low test scores fuel fears that young p…
The majority of children firom lower income famiHes enter elementary school well behind their peers in reading, math, and general knowledge. Poor academic achievement in the early grades is associated with a range of social problems such as fauure to complete high school, increased risk of unintended pregnancy, increased criminal activity, and insufficient wages. There has been a steady increas…