Establishment of a Board on Mathematical Sciences Education

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The National Research Council, the principal operating agent of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, has established a 36-member Board of Mathematical Sciences Education (MSEB). Its primary purpose is to provide a continuing national assessment capability for mathematical sciences education at all levels. The Board will provide leadership, service, and coordination through a variety of work products focussed on issues affecting the quality of instruction in the mathematical sciences. The conception of the MSEB has evolved through a broad base of input from the mathematics and mathematics education communities. Emanating from two national conferences on precollege mathematics education, the Conference Board of Mathematical Sciences endorsed the recommendation of its specially convened task force which urged the establishment of such a board at the National Research Council. The MSEB will function with an anticipated outreach extending to the state and local levels throughout the nation. Its activities will be conducted through issue-oriented task forces that will report to the Board. The membership is broadly representative to bring perspectives of classroom teachers, local and state school authorities, educational administrators and supervisors, local, state and federal governmental officials, college and university faculties, leaders of professional mathematics and education associations, parents, and employers. An Executive Committee of the Board, chaired by Dr. Shirley A. Hill, will help to guide the overall efforts. Appointments, reports, and other Activities of the Board will follow the procedures of the National Research Council. The purpose of this National Science Foundation grant is to provide initial support for activities in two targetted problem areas, "Framework and Alternative Models for School Mathematics Curricula" and "Study of the Impact of Testing on Mathematics Education K-14." Special committees and panels will be operationalized to prepare concept papers and to design study procedures, to conduct open forums and surveys, and to return specified deliverables. It is expected that each of these problem areas will receive continued attention during the second year of anticipated support. In addition it is expected that a third domain of activity, "In-service Teacher Development", will receive attention and support.