Mathematics Education Research: Implications for the 80's.

This research-oriented document is designed to give teachers insights into many of the causes of instructional problems in mathematics and to enable teachers to plan instruction which will be more responsive to identified needs. Individual chapter authors synthesize mathematics research findings, which provide three functions: (1) to describe what has been; (2) to find out what exists; and (3) to find out what is possible. Chapters in many cases have "counter-point" responses from well-known researchers in mathematics education. Topics covered include: (1) The Value of Mathematics Education Research; (2) Curriculum; (3) National Assessment; (4) Children's Thinking; (5) Teacher's Decision Making; (6) Process-Product Research; (7) The Sex Factor; (8) Problem Solving; (9) Computers; and (10) Calculators. (MP)