title: Problem Solving and Computational Skill: Are They Shared or Distinct Aspects of Mathematical Cognition?
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of difficulty in 2 domains of mathematical cognition: computation and problem solving. Third graders (n = 924; 47.3% male) were representatively sampled from 89 classrooms; assessed on computation and problem solving; classified as having difficulty with computation, problem solving, both domains, or neither domain; and measured on 9 cognitive dimensions. Difficulty occurred across domains with the same prevalence as difficulty with a single domain; specific difficulty was distributed similarly across domains. Multivariate profile analysis on cognitive dimensions and chi-square tests on demographics showed that specific computational difficulty was associated with strength in language and weaknesses in attentive behavior and processing speed; problem-solving difficulty was associated with deficient language as well as race and poverty. Implications for understanding mathematics competence and for the identification and treatment of mathematics difficulties are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education, Vanderbilt University.
authors.forename: Lynn S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Carol L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hamlett
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stuebing
authors.forename: Jack M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fletcher