[CALIBK12] [CSLA Research Update] math studies

[Lesley Farmer]

U.S. Middle-Grades Teachers Found Ill-Prepared in MathAspiring middle
school teachers in the United States take fewer math courses and are
less knowledgeable in the subject than their counterparts in South
Korea, Taiwan, and other countries. That gap in teacher preparation,
coupled with curricular differences, could help explain achievement
disparities between American students and their peers in other
industrialized nations. The teacher-candidates from the United States
and Mexico also reported that their undergraduate programs covered less
content in advanced math, analysis, and algebra than the other
countries’. The American teacher-candidates were also less equipped for
the practical aspects of teaching math to middle school students than
their counterparts in all but Germany.Moreover, teachers who pursue
certification specific to middle school education, as opposed to
elementary or secondary programs, are the least primed of all.Schmidt,
W. (2007). Mathematics teaching in the 21st century. East Lansing:
Michigan State
University.http://usteds.msu.edu/related_research.aspMath and science
learning linkedAnother international study looks in part at the
intersection between math achievement and science learning, which
experts say suggests the broader importance of good math
instruction.American Institutes for Research. (2007). Lessons learned
from U.S. international science performance. Washington, DC:
Author.http://www.air.org/news/documents/lessons.learned.in.science.pdfMath
teaching training neededIn its preliminary recommendations, the
National Mathematics Avisory Panel highlighted the need for
“systematically improving teacher-preparation programs, as well as
professional-development strategies for teachers already in the field.”
National Mathematics Advisory Panel. (2007). Preliminary report.
Washington, DC:
Author.http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/index.html

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Posted By Lesley Farmer to CSLA Research Update at 12/19/2007 07:51:00
AM
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