Mathematicians and educators seeking change-- --shared purpose, shared means

Math for America (MfA) Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI) IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) Three mathematics-driven initiatives in mathematics education:

Strengths MSRI 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? Challenges

PCMI 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 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 StrengthsChallenges

MfA 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 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 StrengthsChallenges

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 high- quality 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.