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FOCUS ON COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND SCHOOLS VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1, 2008 An In-Depth Analysis of the Cognitive and Metacognitve Dimensions of African American Elementary Students’ Mathematical Problem Solving Skills Dr. Mack T. Hines III Sam Houston State University Huntsville, Texas William Allan Kritsonis, PhD Professor and Faculty Mentor PhD Program in Educational Leadership The Whitlowe R. Green College of Education Prairie View A&M University Member of the Texas A&M University System Prairie View, Texas Visiting Lecturer (2005) Oxford Round Table University of Oxford, Oxford, England Distinguished Alumnus (2004) College of Education and Professional Studies Central Washington University ABSTRACT This descriptive research study analyzed the metacognitive and cognitive mathematical problem solving skills of 67 African American third and fourth grade students. The results from an administration of Desoete, De Clercq, and Roeyers’ (2000) Evaluation and Prediction assessment (EPA 2000) showed somewhat low metacognitve prediction and metacognitive evaluation skills. The students also showed lower performances on multi- sentence word problems (simple linguistic sentences (L), contextual information (C), relevant information selection (R), and mental visualization (V) than simple sentence computational word problems (number system knowledge (K), number sense estimation (N) , symbol operation (S), numerical information (NR), and procedural calculation (P). Therefore, these students should receive needs-specific math instruction on multi-sentence word problems. From a metacognitive perspective, teachers must also develop the students’ ability to predict and reflection on chosen strategies for solving word problems. Such intensive instruction could enhance African American elementary students’ problem solving and overall mathematical skills. 1

AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE COGNITIVE AND METACOGNITIVE DIMENSIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS' MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS by Dr. Mack T. Hines, III & Dr. William

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AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE COGNITIVE AND METACOGNITIVE DIMENSIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS' MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS by Dr. Mack T. Hines, III & Dr. William Allan KritsonisDr. Mack T. Hines, III is Associate Professor at Sam Houston State University. Dr. William Allan Kritsonis is a Professor, teaching in the PhD Program in Educational Leadership at PVAMU/The Texas A&M University System

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Page 1: AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE COGNITIVE AND METACOGNITIVE DIMENSIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS' MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS by Dr. Mack T. Hines, III & Dr. William

FOCUS ON COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND SCHOOLS VOLUME 2, NUMBER 1, 2008

An In-Depth Analysis of the Cognitive and Metacognitve Dimensions of African American Elementary Students’

Mathematical Problem Solving Skills

Dr. Mack T. Hines III Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

William Allan Kritsonis, PhD Professor and Faculty Mentor

PhD Program in Educational Leadership The Whitlowe R. Green College of Education

Prairie View A&M University Member of the Texas A&M University System

Prairie View, Texas Visiting Lecturer (2005)

Oxford Round Table University of Oxford, Oxford, England

Distinguished Alumnus (2004) College of Education and Professional Studies

Central Washington University

ABSTRACT

This descriptive research study analyzed the metacognitive and cognitive mathematical problem solving skills of 67 African American third and fourth grade students. The results from an administration of Desoete, De Clercq, and Roeyers’ (2000) Evaluation and Prediction assessment (EPA 2000) showed somewhat low metacognitve prediction and metacognitive evaluation skills. The students also showed lower performances on multi-sentence word problems (simple linguistic sentences (L), contextual information (C), relevant information selection (R), and mental visualization (V) than simple sentence computational word problems (number system knowledge (K), number sense estimation (N) , symbol operation (S), numerical information (NR), and procedural calculation (P). Therefore, these students should receive needs-specific math instruction on multi-sentence word problems. From a metacognitive perspective, teachers must also develop the students’ ability to predict and reflection on chosen strategies for solving word problems. Such intensive instruction could enhance African American elementary students’ problem solving and overall mathematical skills.

1

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FOCUS ON COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND SCHOOLS 2____________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

Mathematical problem solving is one of the most pivotal mathematical

experiences for students (O'Connell, 2000). This concept has been called the “starting point and ending point to well balanced mathematics lessons” (O'Connell, 2000, p.37) and “site in which all of the strands of mathematics proficiency converge” (Kilpatrick, Swafford, & Findell, 2001, p. 421). Within the abundance of research on mathematical problem solving, a few studies have emerged on the mathematical problem solving skills of African American students. For example, Malloy and Jones’ (1998) study of 24 eighth grade African American students’ problem solving skills showed that they applied a holistic approach to mathematical problem solving. In addition, Moyo (2004) investigated ninth grade students’ use of graphic organizers to organize their mathematical problem solving procedures. Moyo’s findings showed that the students used the graphic organizer as a culture tool to analyze the word problems. They also used the tools to develop holistic and development view of each aspect of the mathematical word problems. Overall, the findings from this research showed that language and culture impacted minority students’ problem solving skills. However, these implications for these studies are limited to African American secondary level students. Meanwhile, African American elementary students continue to struggle with negotiating mathematics in American classrooms (Hines, 2008; Martin, 2000; National Center for Education Statistics, 2001). Evidence of their poor performance is seen in the disparity between these students’ and Caucasian American students’ performance on national and statewide mathematics assessments (See Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1: Racial Comparison of NAEP Average Mathematics Scale Scores for Fourth Grade Students and Eighth Grade Students

Average Scale Scores

National Texas Grade Level

Year

African American

Caucasian American

African American

Caucasian American

4 1992 193 228 230 271

4 1996 198 232 212 240 4 2000 203 234 220 241 4 2003 216 243 228 254 4 2005 220 246 226 248 4 2007 222 248 230 253

*NAEP scale scores range from 0 to 500.

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MACK T. HINES AND WILLIAM ALAN KRITSONIS ____________________________________________________________________________________3

Table 2: Racial Comparison of Pass Rate for Mathematics Portion of TAKS Assessment

3rd Grade Pass Rate Percentage 4th Grade Pass Rate Percentage

Year African American

Caucasian American

African American

Caucasian American

2000 47% 78% 75% 93%

2001 69% 93% 83% 95%

2002 77% 90% 88% 97%

2003 72%

92% 68% 90%

2004 82% 96% 76% 93% 2005 70% 91% 75% 77% 2006 70% 91% 64% 94% 2007 70% 91% 76% 93%

In additionally to these results, 31, 877 (70%) of my state’s 254,539 African American elementary level students passed the math section of statewide testing (Texas Education Association, 2007). Thirty-one of the 40 test items focused on multi-sentence problem solving. Specifically, students must engage in conceptually rich thinking to construct relationships among mathematical principles, ideas, and words. Therefore, 222, 662 African American third grade students struggled with 77% of the test. This outcome reflects a decade-long trend of poor African American third grade and African American fourth performances in mathematics and a national downward trajectory of African American math performance that begins in elementary school (Fryer & Levitt, 2006; Tate, 1995). These factors speak to the need to identify specific determinants of African American third grade students’ poor performance in mathematical problem solving.

One solution is to measure the specific cognitive and metacognitive aspects of their mathematical problem solving skills. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine how African American third grade students use cognition and metacognition to make sense of mathematical word problems.

Research Question

The research question for this study is:

1. What are the cognitive and metacognitive aspects of African American elementary level students’ mathematical problem solving skills?

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Literature Review

Cognition and Metacognition

This research is centered on the role of cognition and metacognition in

mathematics. Flavell (1976) defined cognition as “one’s ability to organize and execute processes in a sequential manner”. With problem solving, students translate numerical comprehension (NR), symbol comprehension (S), simple linguistic sentences (L), and contextual information (C) into a mental visualization (V) of the word problem. Next, they organize number system knowledge (K), relevant information (R) and number sense estimation (N) into a procedural calculation (P). The calculations are translated into computing the solution (Desoete, Roeyers, & Buysse, 2001).

Flavell (1976) defined Metacognition as “the ability to think about one’s thinking” (p.232). With mathematics, metacognition measures students’ predictions, monitoring, and evaluation of word problems. Prediction impacts students’ speed for working on word problems. Evaluation measures the quality of students’ reflections on strategies for achieving desired solutions. Early analyses showed that students struggle with using metacognition to make meaning of mathematical word problems (Cooney, 1985; Flavell, 1976; Schoenfield, 1989). Additionally, many teachers do not model strategies for thinking about how to validate mathematical solutions.

Empirical Research on the Analysis of Cognitive, Metacognitive Problem Solving Desoete, De Clercq, and Roeyers (2000) organized cognitive and metacognive

problem solving processes into the Evaluation and Prediction Assessment (EPA2000). The EPA 2000 allows the teacher to obtain a fair intra-individual picture of students’ metacognitive and cognitive problem solving skills. Desoete et al. (2000) used the assessment to measure Dutch third grade students’ mathematical problem solving skills. The findings revealed that the students struggled with cognitive (L,V,C,R) and metacognitive (P, EV) problem solving. They struggled with making adequate representations and visualizations of word problems. They also lacked the skills to effectively cope with contextual information or eliminate irrelevant information. The teachers translated the results into cognitive and metacognitive profiles of each student. The profiles were used to develop individualized math instruction for the students.

My research extends the relevancy of the EPA 2000 to American elementary students. In essence, the National Council of Teachers for Mathematics’ (1999, 2000) problem solving standard specifies that all students should be able to:

• Build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving. • Solve problems that are developed from mathematical and other

contextual situations.

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MACK T. HINES AND WILLIAM ALAN KRITSONIS ____________________________________________________________________________________5

• Apply and develop various strategies to solve problems; and • Reflect on the different processes needed to make sense of problem solving

situations.

In other words, students must be able to engage in conceptually rich thinking by constructing relationships among mathematical numbers, ideas, facts, and symbols.

However, most elementary teachers do not possess mathematics certification. Therefore, many of these do not have a clear understanding of how to teach mathematics to students. Research has shown that elementary teachers are more likely to emphasize procedural mathematics than conceptual mathematics. In other words, they teach students how to “do” math instead of think about mathematics. As a result, teachers do not know how students think about the problems that do no have predetermined solutions. In spite of these patterns of practice, Caucasian American students continue to outperform African American students in mathematics.

Given African American elementary students’ problem solving deficiencies (Dossey, 1993, 1994; Grouws & Cebulla, 2000), the EPA 2000 may effectively diagnose their cognitive and metacognitive skills. The findings could be translated into needs driven math instruction for these students.

Methodology

Sample

The sample size for this study consisted of 67 African American elementary school students. The population consisted of 36 girls and 31 boys, as well as 33 third grade students and 34 fourth grade students. The students attended a predominantly African American elementary school in Southeast Texas. Instrumentation

The Evaluation and Prediction Assessment (EPA2000) (Desoete, De Clerq, & Roeyers, 2000; Desoete, Roeyers, & Bussye, 2001) The TAKS mathematics benchmark tests are designed to measure students’ progress in the following areas: 1.) Number Sense; 2.) Algebra and Functions; 3.) Measurement and Geometry; 4.) Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability; and 5.) Mathematical Reasoning. The EPA 2000 is used to measure the cognitive and metacognitive mathematical problem solving skills of third and fourth grade students. First, children review word problems and then predict success on a 5-point rating scale. Children then perform the cognitive tasks without seeing their predictions.

Numerical comprehension and production (NR) problems encompass reading single-digit and multiple-digit numerals (Arrange from lowest to highest: 25 26 27). An example of operation symbol comprehension (S) is “Which is correct? 32+1=33 or

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32x1=33”. Number system knowledge (K) focuses on comprehension of number structure (Complete this series: 37, 38,). Procedural calculation (P) measures skills in computation (34+47=).

Linguistic information (L) focuses on single-sentence language analysis (4 more than 26 is?). Contextual language (C) analyzes the ability to solve multi-sentence word problems (Bob owns two dogs. Carol owns four more dogs than Bob. How many dogs does Carol have?) Mental representation (V) measures visualization of word problems (23 is 6 less than ?). Relevant (R) word problems require students to use only relevant information (Tina has 24 dimes. Gabby has 5 dimes and 6 nickels. How many dimes do they have altogether?) Number sense (N) assesses spatial understanding of numbers (14 is nearest to? 20, 10, 33). After completing these cognitive tasks, children evaluate the performance without reviewing their calculations.

I validated the instrument through discussions with an 8-member panel of third grade teachers. The teachers confirmed the test’s measurement of third grade math skills. I then piloted the instrument on 76 African American third grade students. The findings yielded strong cronbach alphas for metacognitive prediction (.84), cognitive (.84), and metacognitive evaluation (.80) skills. Thus, this instrument has the internal consistency to measure African American third grade students’ problem solving skills.

Results

The students needed 1 hour and 30 0 minutes to complete the EPA2000. The students predicted (Pr) their performance on the mathematical problem solving tasks. Then they solved the mathematical problem solving tasks (NF, S, K, P, L, C, V, R, N) and evaluated (Ev) their performance. As to the prediction (Pr), they got a score of 24/40 or 60% (see Appendix).

Also the NR-tasks, the reading of single-digit exercises (9, 2, 7, 3, 4, 8, 5) was correct. The reading of multiple-digit exercises was good even when the digit name was not congruent with the number structure, with exception of the confusion of 71 and 37. The students read correctly 71, 41, 21, 40, 51, 82, 70, 91, 712, and 978. Furthermore, the students displayed good verbal numeral. They were able to discern differences between written and oral number production. The students read 52, 71, 330, 411, and 507 without mistakes. With regard to operation symbol comprehension (S-problems), the students knew the meaning of the <,>, x, and + symbols.

The number system knowledge (K-problems) was also assessed. The students could put 5 numbers (e.g. 19, 28, 37, 72, 46 or 105, 150, 35, 50, 10) in the correct order, but struggled with 12.1, 12, 16.1, 61 and as to the P-tasks, the students displayed mastery of procedural additions to be solved by mental arithmetic. But the students did struggle with double and triple digit calculations.

As to the language related word problems (L-problems), the students solved correctly 'twice 7 is ?', '1 less than 20 is?' and '1 more than 38 is?' Word problems involving an additional order factor (e.g. '? is half of 8' and'? is 2 less than 54') were

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MACK T. HINES AND WILLIAM ALAN KRITSONIS ____________________________________________________________________________________7

correct. C-problems or word problems based on additional context information were correctly solved in the case of the postman problem but not in the case of the baker problem, key problem and the marbles problem.

However, the students’ experienced difficulties with V-problems. They were unable to determine the answers to the following problems: “38 is 1 more than?”, “17 is half of?” ,“ 91 is 2 less than”, “48 is 1 less than?”, and “14 is twice?.” With regard to relevant information problems, the students were unable to identify irrelevant information in some problems. In addition, the students struggled with number sense (N-problems). Word problems based on number sense (N-problems) were correct in the case of the flyer problem, but not in the case of the car problem, 27 near?, 99 near? and in the case of the bus problem (see 1/5 or 20% number sense Appendix). The students often misjudged their own results and got a score of 20/40 or 50% on evaluation (Ev).

In sum, the students’ cognitive strengths were numerical comprehension and production (NR), symbol comprehension and production (S), number structure (K), and linguistic information (L). Their cognitive weaknesses were contextual information (C), mental representation of the answer through visualization (V), selecting relevant information (R) and estimating in number sense tasks (N). As to the off-line metacognitive skills, we found the students retarded on prediction (Pr) skills but even more retarded on evaluation by skills. Therefore, the students should receive comprehensive cognitive strategy instruction in coping with contextual cues (C), in problem representation strategies or visualization (V), in selecting relevant information (R) and in dealing with number sense (N). Furthermore, the students should experience reflection moments after the mathematic al problem solving. This step could increase their prediction (Pr) and evaluation skills (Ev).

Concluding Remarks

This research focused on the cognitive and metacognitive aspects of African American elementary students’ mathematical problem solving skills. The findings showed that the students have mathematical strengths and weaknesses. In addition, teachers could use these findings to develop an intra-individual picture of the cognitive processes involved in mathematical problem solving of these students. They could then develop needs-appropriate strategies for improving their mathematical problem solving skills.

References Barnett, D. (2003). Mathematical problem solving and elementary school: What every

administration should know. Paper presented at the South Carolina Association of School Administrators Conference. Myrtle Beach, SC.

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Carlan, V., Rubin, R., & Morgan, B. (2004). Cooperative learning, mathematical

problem solving, and Latinos. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association. San Diego, CA.

Cooney, T. (1985). A beginning teacher’s view of problem solving. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 16(5), 324-36.

Desoete, A. (2002). EPA2000: Assessing off-line metacognition in mathematical problem solving. Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics, 6(2), 18-30.

Desoete, A., De Clerq, A., & Roeyers, H. (2000). Evaluation and prediction assessment computerized assessment (EPA 2000). Unpublished manuscript. Ghent: RUG.

Dossey, J. (1993). Can students do mathematical problem solving? Results from constructed-response questions in NAEP’s 1992 mathematics assessment. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.

Fryer, R., & Levitt, S. (2006). The Black-White test score gap through third grade. American Law and Economics Review, 5(9), 12-27.

Goldberg, P. (2003). Using metacognitive skills to improve 3rd graders’ math problem solving. Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics, 5(10), 29-48.

Grouws, D., & Cebulla, K. (2000). Improving student achievement in mathematics. Geneva, Switzerland: International Academy of Education.

Hines, M. (2008). African American children and mathematical problem solving in Texas: An analysis of meaning making in review. National Forum of Applied Educational Research Journal, 21(3), 1-17.

Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., & Findell, B. (2001). Mathematics learning study committee, National Research Council. In Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics (pp. 407-432). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

Kloosterman, P., & Stage, F. (1992). Measuring beliefs about mathematical problem solving. School Science and Mathematics, 92(3), 109-115.

Losey, K. (1995). Mexican American students and classroom interaction: An overview and critique. Review of Educational Research, 65, 283-318.

Malloy, C., & Jones, M. (1998). An investigation of African American students’ mathematical problem solving skills. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 29, 143-163.

Martin, D. (2000). Mathematics success and failure among African American youth: The roles of sociohistorical context, community forces, school influence, and individual agency. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Moyo, K. (2004). A road that leads to somewhere: The impact of using a graphic organizer to assist the mathematical meaning making of secondary African American students. University of Cincinnati: Unpublished Dissertation

National Center of Education Statistics (2001). Educational achievement and Black-White inequality. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (1989). Curriculum and evaluation standards for school mathematics. Reston, VA: Author.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). (1999). Teaching mathematics in poor communities. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics. Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

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O’Connell, S. (2000). Introduction to problem solving: Strategies for the elementary

math classroom. Westport, CT: Heinemann Publishing. Raymond, A. (1997). Inconsistency between beginning elementary school teacher’s

mathematics beliefs and teaching practice. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 28(5), 550-576.

Schifter, D., & Fosnot, C. (1993). Reconstructing mathematics education: Stories of teachers meeting the challenge of reform. New York: Teachers College Press.

Schoenfield, A. (1989). Problem solving in contexts. In R.I. Charles & E.A. Silver (Eds.) Research agenda in mathematics education. The teaching and assessing of mathematical problem solving, Volume 3 (pp. 82-92). Reston, VA: National Council for Mathematics.

Stigler, J. (2006). Algebra learning for All (ALFA). Washington, DC: Institute for Education Services.

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1998) Basics of qualitative research. Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (2nd ed.). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

Swartz, R., & Parks, S. (1994). Infusing the teaching of critical and creative thinking into elementary instruction. Pacific Grove, CA: Critical Thinking Press & Software.

Texas Education Agency (2007). 2007 AEIS Report. Retrieved December 31, 2007 from www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/2007/state.html

Verschaffel, L. (1999). Realistic mathematical modeling and problem solving in the upper elementary school: Analysis and improvement. In J.H.M Hamers, J.E.H Van Luit, & B. Csapo (Eds.), Teaching and learning thinking skills. Context of learning (pp. 215-240). Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger Press.

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Appendix A EPA 2000

Metacognitive Prediction

Directions: Read the problems (See the Test: Part II) and then use the scale to rate your feelings about the item. 1=I am absolutely sure that I will get the wrong answer. 2=I am not really sure that I will get the wrong answer. 3=I am somewhat sure that I will get the right answer. 4=I am sure that I will get the right answer. 5=I am absolutely sure that I will get the right answer.

Scale Scale Scale Scale

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Test: Part II

EPA 2000 Cognition

Directions: Solve each word problem. Show your work on the blank pieces of paper. 1. Carlos ate 6 cookies, 3 apples, and 8 doughnuts. Dina ate 4 apples. What is the total

number of apples that were eaten? _____ 2. 16 more than 2 is_________ 3. Put these numbers in order 31 39 35 32 _____ _____ _____ _____ 4. Which is correct? A. 4-2=2 B. 4x2=2 C. 4+2=2 _____ 5. Complete this series 64 63 62 61 _____ _____ _____ 6. 41 is farthest from_____ A. 40 B. 45 C. 36 D. 72 _____ 7. 26-1= _____ 8. Pedro walks 4 blocks to school. Ned walks 2 more blocks than Pedro and 3 fewer

blocks that Ralph. How many blocks does Ned walk to school? _____ 9. 2 is nearest to A. 10 B. 5 C. 0 D. 17 _____ 10. 13 is 9 more than _____ 11. 18 fewer than 19 is _____ 12. Jenna has 7 days left to pick 49 blueberries. She has already picked 14 blackberries.

How many blackberries must Jenna pick for each of the 7 days? _____ 13. 8 more than 29 is _____ 14. 24 is 6 less than _____ 15. Leslie jumped 12 feet from the porch. Marla jumped 6 fewer feet than Leslie. How

far did Marla Jump? _____

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16. What belongs in the blanks? 99 100 _____ _____ _____ 17. Sam has 3 bottles, and Amy has 4 bottles. Carlos has 3 more bottles than Sam. Lena

has 2 bottles less than Amy. How many bottles does Lena have? _____

18. Arrange in the order from highest to lowest 12 26 18 9 32 14 _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ 19. Choose the correct answer A. 4+5=20 B. 4/5=20 C. 4 X 5=20 _____ 20. 3 less than 16 is _____ 21. 77 is closest to

A. 8 B. 32 C. 84 D. 100 _____ 22. Sammy ate 2 pieces of chicken for lunch. He ate 5 more pieces of chicken for dinner

than he did for lunch. How many pieces of chicken did he eat for dinner? _____ 23. 12 is 11 more than _____

24. 9X2= _____

25. Bob has 12 keys. Ernie has 6 more keys than Bob. How many keys does Ernie have? _____ 26. Monte owns 3 bikes. Jared owns 6 more bikes than Monte, but 4 fewer bikes than

Jan. How many bikes does Jared own? _____ 27. Look at Mario’s Work Schedule

Day of the Week Hours Worked Monday 3 Hours Tuesday 6 Hours Wednesday 5 Hours Thursday 4 Hours Friday 2 Hours What is the total number of hours that Mario worked on the last two days of the week? _____

28. Put these numbers in order from the lowest to highest. 12 12.1 10.1 13 11 9.1 10.1 _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______ _____

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29. Which is correct? 36-7=29 B. 36+7=29 C. 36 X 7=29 _____

30. Fill in the blanks 51 53 55 57 _____ _____ _____ 31. Place the numbers in the order from highest to lowest 21 13 57 _____ _____ _____

32. 9 X9=_____

33. 64 divided by 8____

34. 22+39=____ 35. 69+52 _____ 36. 20 is half of _____ 37. ____ is half of 18 38. Bob is 8 years old. Bob’s brother, Chuck, is 3 years older than he. Bob’s cousin, Jim,

is twice his age. How old is Jim? _____ 39. Twice 7 is _____ 40. 100 is 4 more than _____

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EPA 2000

Metacognitive Evaluation

Directions: Read the problems of the new test (See the Test: Part II) and then use the scale to rate your feelings about the item. 1=I am absolutely sure that I gave the wrong answer. 2=I am not really sure that I gave the wrong answer. 3=I am somewhat sure that I gave the right answer. 4=I am sure that I will gave the right answer. 5=I am absolutely sure that I gave the right answer.

Scale Scale Scale Scale

1

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