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The use of manipulative materials and visual aids in teaching arithmetic is widely accepted by teachers and those concerned with the teaching of arithmetic. The Nationa Defense Education Act is an expression on the national level of a belief in the value of manipulative materials for instruction. While most modern arithmetic programs contain suggestions on the use of visual aids and manipulative materials, much remains to be done in evaluating the effectiveness of selected materials. Cost of materials varies considerably. One main concern of school systems is the cost of materials. Are inexpensive materials as effective as more expensive ones?

Staffing a contemporary mathematics program is not as easy as finding teachers to handle traditional fare. But after reading this discus sion of the many channels available for effecting staff improvement, there is little excuse for any school to have an inferior mathematics faculty.

THERE seems to be little doubt that the demand for accountability in education is one important consequence of the economic pressures on schools. To keep pace with salaries in other professions, teachers' salaries have more than doubled since 1960. The cost of physical plants and educational materials and the cost of other nonteaching services required for operating schools have also increased at a rapid rate. The financial needs of many school systems both large and small have exceeded their ability to produce revenues. The public is now demanding that schools demonstrate that the monies provided arc used efficiently and that the effectiveness of the schools increase in proportion to the increase in financial support of the schools.

The professional organization's childhood is characterized by random behavior that makes the individual member feel good. There is a naive belief that just hearing good things and liking each other will result in better education. Hearing from parent figures-expert authoritiesabout what we should do makes us realize we've been bad children but doesn't result in much changed behavior. We leave our meetings agreeing that, "Yes, sir, Dad was right." Young adolescence for the professional group brings an awareness that, "Yes, by golly, we are 'somebody else'." From this grows a desire to sharpen our identity. We don't play with just any kid anymore and who we do play with determines who our peers are. The organization in its adolescence feels threatened and defensive.

The results of an experiment until first-year algebra in grade eight are presented for your consideration.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics was able to live within its income during 1974–75, in spite of increased costs for most of our activities. In the Publications account, however. expenditures were again greater th an receipts: and it was deemed necessary to increase the prices of our publications.