Chinese Eighth Graders’ Competencies in Mathematical Problem Solving

This chapter begins with a review of the assessment of mathematical problem-solving competency and the construction of the assessment framework through three levels: memory and reproduction, connection and variation, and reflection and expansion. The analysis included 1185 Chinese Grade-8 students selected based on the geographic location of the city in which they live (including east, central, north, south, northwest, southwest and northeast China) and the corresponding level of economic development (including developed, medium-developed, less-developed, etc.). The student participants completed the mathematical problem-solving competency test, and the results indicate that nearly 80% of the eighth-grade Chinese students have reached the medium level. This chapter also summarizes some characteristics and problems of students’ mathematical problem-solving competency in China.