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The National Assessment of Educational Progress (naep) collected data on the mathematics performance of 9-, 13-, and 17-year old Americans in 1973, 1978, and 1982. An additional assessment in grades 3, 7, and 11 is planned for 1986. Educational objectives to be used in the 1986 assessment were contributed, reviewed, and revised by a committee of educators. Emphasis was placed on higher-level, critical thinking skills. The objectives were grouped into the following categories, which are described in this document: (1) processes-routine application; understanding; problem solving and reasoning; skills; and knowledge; (2) content-fundamental methods; discreet mathematics; data organization and interpretation; measurement; geometry; relations; functions; and algebraic expressions; and numbers and objectives; and (3) attitudes--mathematics in school; mathematics and oneself; mathematics and society; mathematics as a discipline; and attitudes toward computers. Objectives in five categories concerning the use of calculators are also illustrated: routine computations; more difficult computations; understanding concepts; exploration; and applications and problem solving. (Gdc).