Assessing Mathematical Proficiency

This book highlights the kinds of information that assessments offer, with examples of some of the best mathematics assessments worldwide.

Alan H. Schoenfeld (Edited by)

9780521874922, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 May 2007

412 pages
23.4 x 15.6 x 2.4 cm, 0.7 kg

'… describes complexities of assessment when English is not a student's native language.' EMS Newsletter

Testing matters! It can determine kids' and schools' futures. In a conference at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, mathematicians, maths education researchers, teachers, test developers, and policymakers gathered to work through critical issues related to mathematics assessment. They examined: the challenges of assessing student learning in ways that support instructional improvement; ethical issues related to assessment, including the impact of testing on urban and high-poverty schools; the different (and sometimes conflicting) needs of the different groups; and different frameworks, tools, and methods for assessment, comparing the kinds of information they offer about students' mathematical proficiency. This volume presents the results of the discussions. It highlights the kinds of information that different assessments can offer, including many examples of some of the best mathematics assessments worldwide. A special feature is an interview with a student about his knowledge of fractions and a demonstration of what interviews (versus standardized tests) can reveal.

Preface Alan H. Schoenfeld
Part I. The Big Picture: 1. Issues and tensions in the assessment of mathematical proficiency Alan H. Schoenfeld
2. Crucial contemporary social, political, and cultural issues in mathematical assessment in the United States Judith Ramaley
3. Crucial contemporary social, political, and cultural issues in mathematical assessment in the United States Susan Sclafani
Part II. Perspectives on Mathematical Proficiency: 4. What is mathematical proficiency? R. James Milgram
5. What is mathematical proficiency (and how can it be assessed)? Alan H. Schoenfeld
Part III. What Does Assessment Assess? Issues and Examples: 6. Assessing mathematical proficiency: what is important? Hugh Burkhardt
7. Aspects of the art of assessment design Jan de Lange
8. Mathematical proficiency for citizenship Bernard Madison
9. Learning from assessment Richard Askey
10. Using assessment to design professional development David Foster
Part IV. The Case of Algebra: 11. Context and learning: an assessment of 'real world' mathematics tasks Ann Shannon
12. Making meaning in algebra: examining students' understandings and misconceptions David Foster
13. Assessing the strands of student proficiency in elementary algebra William McCallum
Part V. What Do Different Assessments Assess?: 14. Learning about fractions from assessment Linda Fisher
15. Brandon interview and commentary, plus CD of interview Deborah Ball
Part VI. The Importance of Context: 16. Assessment of mathematics learning in France Michele Artigue
17. Assessment to improve learning in mathematics: the BEAR assessment system Mark Wilson and Claus Carstensen
18. English learners and math learning: language issues for the math educators to consider Lily W. Fillmore
19. Beyond words to mathematical content: assessing English language learners in the mathematics classroom Judit Moschkovich
20. Assessment in the real world: the case of New York city Elizabeth Taleporos
21. Perspectives on state assessments in California Elizabeth Stage
Part VII. What Do We Need To Know?: 22. Research agenda emerging from the conference.

Subject Areas: Educational: Mathematics & numeracy [YQM], Mathematics [PB]