Date Approved

5-31-2000

Embargo Period

6-16-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Supervision and Curriculum Development

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Capasso, Ronald L.

Subject(s)

Mathematics--Study and teaching (Secondary); Problem solving--Study and teaching (Secondary)

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a mathematical problem-solving program for eighth grade students in the Margate School District. The researcher used a quantitative quasi-experimental design in correlation with a qualitative case study design. The subjects consisted of low to average ability students enrolled in a preexisting skills development course. The students were separated to form an experimental and a control group. A pretest/posttest instrument was used to determine the quantitative results, and daily field notes were recorded to evaluate the qualitative conclusions.

The level of student growth due to the completion of the mathematics program was shown to be statistically insignificant. The mean gain in scores of the experimental group was actually less than the mean gain demonstrated in the control group. Although there was no conclusive improvement in student performance attributed to the program, all the subjects participating in the activities did reveal an increase in motivation, interest, and general enthusiasm regarding problem solving.

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