The Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia has proposed to replicate the methodology and findings of the Second International Mathematics Study (SIMS) by designing and conducting a comprehensive survey of the eighth and twelfth grade mathematics programs for the Commonwealth of Virginia and for two selected school divisions within the Commonwealth. The findings will be used to identify strengths and weaknesses of the mathematics curriculum at the state and division levels, in light of SIMS data available on the national and international levels. The resulting information will be taken into account in curriculum reform activities in the Commonwealth. This application of the SIMS methodology is expected to provide a powerful model for assessing mathematics programs that will be used elsewhere within Virginia and could have utility in other states and regions of the United States, as well. The main objective of the study is to develop a model for program assessment and evaluation at the state and local levels in order to provide detailed, high quality data for curriculum supervisors, classroom teachers and school administrators in assessing their current curriculum and in identifying new directions for improvement. The project will be carried out in three phases: (i) Curriculum Analysis Phase: An analysis of the curriculum will be conducted for the two target populations: (1) all eighth grade students and (2) those students in twelfth grade college preparatory mathematics classes. This curricular information will be used to assess the adequacy of the item pool of the Second International Mathematics Study for program evaluation in Virginia. If necessary, the item pool will be augmented to adequately reflect major content areas in the Virginia curriculum. (ii) Testing Phase: Probability samples of classes will be drawn from the entire state for each of the two target populations. Concurrently, two school divisions will be targeted for study. The students will be tested (attitudes and achievement) at the end of the 1986-87 school year. Data will be obtained from teachers on "opportunity-to-learn," that is, the extent to which the subject matter on the tests has been taught to the students being tested, and on classroom processes used for selected topics in the curriculum. (iii) Analysis and Reporting Phase: Data will be analyzed and reports will be generated for use of classroom teachers and supervisors and personnel at the Virginia Department of Education. Reports will also be prepared that will be of interest to professionals at corresponding levels of responsibility outside of the Commonwealth.
