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Classroom Context: Mathematics Coursework

As part of the 2009 mathematics assessment, teachers of fourth-graders were asked about mathematics coursework in terms of emphasis on mathematical content areas. The full text of the question, the corresponding percentages, and scale scores of students whose teachers responded in each category are below.

Think about your plans for this mathematics class for the entire year. How much emphasis did you or will you give each of the following?

A. Numbers and operations
B. Measurement
C. Geometry
D. Data analysis, statistics, and probability (informal introduction of concepts)
E. Algebra and functions (informal introduction of concepts)

Grade 4
Grade 8

The apparent difference in the average scores of fourth-graders in large city schools whose teachers put a heavy (232) or moderate (230) emphasis on numbers and operations was not statistically significant.

Browse questionnaires for the NAEP assessments.