Mathematicians and educators seeking
change---shared purpose, shared means
Three mathematics-driven initiatives in mathematics
education:
• Math for America (MfA)
• Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI)
• IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI)
MSRI
Challenges
Strengths
a)
Is the nation's leading public
mathematics research institute
b) Has established a visible presence
in mathematics education through
its Math Circles Program and
through its annual workshop series
on critical issues in mathematics
education
c) Has an increasingly strong local
presence in the San Francisco Bay
Area
a)
Because of the nature of its
primary mission, pre-university
educational programs exist ‘at
the margins’
b) Critical Issues in Education
workshop series--does it
influence the mathematics
preparation and professional
development of the country’s
teachers?
PCMI
Strengths
a)
Has a strong professional
development model for
mathematics teachers
b) Focus on mathematics for
teaching
c) Has an existing national network
of district/teacher partnerships
d) Has the institutional sponsorship
of the Institute for Advanced
Study
Challenges
a)
Is accessed by only a relatively
small number of the nation's
potential teacher-leaders
b) Needs to increase its ability to
engage school districts and state
and policymakers
c) Needs a disciplined way to test
its own assumptions and effects
MfA
Strengths
a) Leads with the mathematics
b) Nurtures the education of
quality teachers
c) Recognizes and rewards quality
and achievement
d) Has a strong local organization
in the New York City area
e) Has a national agenda with
strong political and financial
backing
Challenges
a)
Needs to establish a
national network
b) Needs a fully articulated
professional development
program to sustain its
teachers
c) Needs a disciplined way to
test its own assumptions
and effects
These three programs typify the best
efforts of the mathematics community
to contribute effectively to improving
mathematics instruction in our
nation’s schools...
... there are many others ...
... including the handful of highquality mathematics programs
for preservice teacher spread
around the U.S. ...
...but each is a ‘spoke’ and the
math community needs a ‘wheel’ ...
...if it is to become a truly significant
contributor ...
... to the quality and professionalism
of mathematics teaching in the U.S.