A Comparison of Mathematics Instruction in Tokyo and Hawaii Junior High Schools.

Using items from the Second International Study of Mathematics (1984) and the "effective teaching" literature, this study found differences between Tokyo and Hawaii junior high school teachers in terms of background, instructional behavior, teaching load, use of time, emphasis of objectives, and use of calculators. Hawaii teachers spent more time explaining homework. Classroom discipli,te was a greater concern for Hawaii teachers than for Tokyo teachers. Calculators were used much less in the Tokyo classes than in the Hawaii classes. Several other significant differences were found. It was noted that the instruments given to the Tokyo and Hawaii teachers were similar but several questions differed. Also, the comparisons were based on both public and private schools in Tokyo and only public schools in Hawaii. Finally, a random sampling of the Tokyo schools was used whereas all Hawaiian schools were invited to respond. (MVL) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.