Margaret Brown

Bio: Margaret Brown is an academic researcher from King's College London. The author has contributed to research in topics: Numeracy & Curriculum. The author has an hindex of 24, co-authored 105 publications receiving 2957 citations. Previous affiliations of Margaret Brown include Stanford University & United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Students' Experiences of Ability Grouping—disaffection, polarisation and the construction of failure†

Abstract: This paper reports findings from the first two years of a four-year longitudinal study into the ways that students' attitudes towards, and achievement in, mathematics are influenced by ability-grouping practices in six schools. Through the use of questionnaires administered to the whole cohort of 943 students, interviews with 72 students and approximately 120 hours of classroom observation, the relative achievement in, and the changes in attitudes towards, mathematics are traced as the students move from year 8 to year 9, with students in four of the six schools moving from mixed-ability grouping to homogenous ability groups or 'sets'. Ability-grouping was associated with curriculum polarisation. This was enacted through restriction of opportunity to learn for students in lower sets, and students in top sets being required to learn at a pace which was, for many students, incompatible with understanding. The same teachers employed a more restricted range of teaching approaches with 'homogeneous' groups tha...

“I would rather die”: reasons given by 16-year-olds for not continuing their study of mathematics

Abstract: Improving participation rates in specialist mathematics after the subject ceases to be compulsory at age 16 is part of government policy in England. This article provides independent and recent support for earlier findings concerning reasons for non- participation, based on free response and closed items in a questionnaire with a sample of over 1500 students in 17 schools, close to the moment of choice. The analysis supports findings that perceived difficulty and lack of confidence are important reasons for students not continuing with mathematics, and that perceived dislike and boredom, and lack of relevance, are also factors. There is a close relationship between reasons for non-participation and predicted grade, and a weaker relation to gender. An analysis of the effects of schools, demonstrates that enjoyment is the main factor differentiating schools with high and low participation indices. Building on discussion of these findings, ways of improving participation are briefly suggested.

Is the National Numeracy Strategy Research-based?

Abstract: The British Government has recently agreed proposals for a National Numeracy Strategy which claims to be based on evidence concerning ‘hat works’. This article reviews the literature in each key area in which recommendations are made, and makes a judgement of whether the claim is justified. In some areas (e.g. calculators) the recommendations run counter to the evidence.

Upper limb reconstruction in quadriplegia functional assessment and proposed treatment modifications

Abstract: The functional results following reconstruction of key grip (40 limbs in 30 patients) and active elbow extension (14 limbs in 9 patients) in higher spinal level quadriplegic patients were reviewed and results were classified as follows: Good result (55% of operated limbs)--Patients were very pleased with the greater ease and capabilities in performing functional activities. Fair result (30%)--Patients were moderately satisfied; thumb instability and poor finger position during pinch were the two greatest sources of dissatisfaction. Poor result (15%)--Patients were disappointed, usually because of progressive contracture, spasticity, or pain. On preoperative assessment, these were the weakest patients or those who had the longest interval between injury and surgery. In 10 of 14 limbs functionally active elbow extension was obtained, although the long convalescent time was a deterrent. Based on these results, the modifications in the following areas of treatment protocol were made: (1) Patient selection--Of those patients with only minimum levels of functional resources, only the most highly motivated should have elective reconstructive surgery. (2) Surgical technique--Procedures to better stabilize the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint and to assist in positioning the other digits during pinch include a stronger tenodesis of the thumb extensor tendons to the metacarpal and tenodesis of the superficialis tendons of the index and long fingers to the proximal phalanx. Other procedures include modification of the methods of attachment of tendon transfers to shorten convalescence following reconstruction of active elbow extension. (3) Postoperative care--postoperative problems develop insidiously. Frequent reassessment is mandatory.

Assessment and Classroom Learning

Abstract: This article is a review of the literature on classroom formative assessment. Several studies show firm evidence that innovations designed to strengthen the frequent feedback that students receive about their learning yield substantial learning gains. The perceptions of students and their role in self‐assessment are considered alongside analysis of the strategies used by teachers and the formative strategies incorporated in such systemic approaches as mastery learning. There follows a more detailed and theoretical analysis of the nature of feedback, which provides a basis for a discussion of the development of theoretical models for formative assessment and of the prospects for the improvement of practice.

Development and Validation of A

Abstract: Objectives: Lao Juan (LJ, 劳倦) is a syndrome described in Chinese medicine (CM) that manifests with : Lao Juan (LJ, 劳倦) is a syndrome described in Chinese medicine (CM) that manifests with fatigue, fever, spontaneous sweating, indigestion, work-induced pain, weakness of the limbs, and shortness of breath. fatigue, fever, spontaneous sweating, indigestion, work-induced pain, weakness of the limbs, and shortness of breath. The present study was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of a Lao Juan Questionnaire (LJQ). The present study was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of a Lao Juan Questionnaire (LJQ). Methods: A total of 151 outpatients and 73 normal subjects were asked to complete the LJQ. Seventy-three normal subjects A total of 151 outpatients and 73 normal subjects were asked to complete the LJQ. Seventy-three normal subjects were additionally asked to complete the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS). Twelve clinicians determined whether the were additionally asked to complete the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS). Twelve clinicians determined whether the 151 outpatients exhibited LJ or not. The internal consistency and construct validity for the LJQ were estimated using 151 outpatients exhibited LJ or not. The internal consistency and construct validity for the LJQ were estimated using data from the outpatient subjects. The CFS data were used to examine the concurrent validity of the LJQ. Total LJQ data from the outpatient subjects. The CFS data were used to examine the concurrent validity of the LJQ. Total LJQ scores and the clinicians' diagnoses of the outpatients were used to perform receiver operating characteristics (ROC) scores and the clinicians' diagnoses of the outpatients were used to perform receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses and to defi ne an optimum cut-off score for the LJQ. curve analyses and to defi ne an optimum cut-off score for the LJQ. Results: The 19-item LJQ had satisfactory internal : The 19-item LJQ had satisfactory internal consistency (α=0.828) and concurrent validity, with signifi cant correlations between the LJQ and the CFS subscales. consistency (α=0.828) and concurrent validity, with signifi cant correlations between the LJQ and the CFS subscales. In the test of construct validity using principal component analysis, a total of six factors were extracted, and the overall In the test of construct validity using principal component analysis, a total of six factors were extracted, and the overall variance explained by all factors was 59.5%. In ROC curve analyses, the sensitivity, specifi city, and area under the variance explained by all factors was 59.5%. In ROC curve analyses, the sensitivity, specifi city, and area under the curve were 76.0%, 59.2%, and 0.709, respectively. The optimum cut-off score was defi ned as six points. curve were 76.0%, 59.2%, and 0.709, respectively. The optimum cut-off score was defi ned as six points. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the LJQ is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating LJ. Our results suggest that the LJQ is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating LJ. KEYWORDS Chinese medicine, chronic fatigue syndrome, Chinese medicine-pattern Chinese medicine, chronic fatigue syndrome, Chinese medicine-pattern

"Kappan Classic": Inside the Black Box--Raising Standards through Classroom Assessment.

Abstract: Formative assessment is an essential component of classroom work and can raise student achievement.

Inside the Black Box: Raising Standards Through Classroom Assessment

Abstract: Formative assessment is an essential component of classroom work and can raise student achievement.