About the Study

The Inside the Classroom study involved selecting a sample of lessons to be representative of all mathematics and science lessons in the United States; developing instruments to use in observing classrooms and interviewing teachers; training researchers in the use of those instruments; and collecting and analyzing the data. In all, 364 mathematics and science lessons in schools throughout the United States were observed, accompanied by an in-depth teacher interview.

The major purpose of the study is to provide the education research and policy communities with snapshots of mathematics and science education as they exist in classrooms in a variety of contexts in the United States. These snapshots include both the instruction that takes place and the factors that shape that instruction. Areas addressed include:

• how science and mathematics are portrayed;
• the intellectual engagement of students in lessons;
• the accuracy of science and mathematics content;
• teacher questioning strategies, and
• factors that determine teachers' choice of content and instructional strategies.

The study was conducted by Horizon Research, Inc., under the direction of Dr. Iris R. Weiss. Data collection began in the fall of 2000 and concluded in the spring of 2002.