The National Mathematics Advisory Panel, created in 2006, issued its final report Foundations for Success: The Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education in 2008. Its findings covered a variety of aspects of mathematics education, including curricular content, instructional practices, teacher education and instructional materials. NMAP's recommendations, as stated in the report (above), are most succinctly summed up as "put first things first". (page xiii). With respect to curriculum, NMAP recommends "The mathematics curriculum in Grades PreK–8 should be streamlined and should emphasize a well-defined set of the most critical topics in the early grades." (page xiii). With respect to teacher education, NMAP recommends (#19) that
NMAP also recommends a specific focus on middle school math (#4):
MSMI also offers curriculum services to participating schools in parallel with the institutes. These services help schools to develop a professional development program that adapts their current curriculum and textbooks to meet the National Mathematics Advisory Panel's recommendations on "Critical Foundations for Algebra". By providing guidance on content, scope, sequence, pedagogical techniques and actual lessons, MSMI supports schools as they adapt their mathematics curriculum to bridge the gap from exploration of arithmetic in K-3 to mastery of Algebra 1 in grade 8. MSMI also offers information to parents as they try to navigate the mathematical education needs of their children. Through parent workshops, parents will gain knowledge about mathematics e so they can guide their children on what math knowledge and skills are needed to succeed in middle school, high school, entering college and beyond, particularly in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields |