Implications for Teacher Preparation from MathThematics

Within the last fifteen years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded twelve mathematics curriculum projects. Three of the elementary (K-6) projects are commercially available. Five middle school projects followed the elementary projects and are also available. Four secondary projects were then funded and were available a few years after the middle school projects. With this effort, NSF has laid the groundwork for substantial K-12 curriculum reform in the 21st century.

These new curricula are significantly different from traditional programs. The new programs focus on improving mathematics education for all students. Mathematical knowledge for all students is important because future students will be living in a more technological and scientific world. Although this paper will focus on the changes at the middle school level, most of the comments are true for all levels.