The Mathematical Sciences Education Board (MSEB) is a board of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) enabled to coordinate and assist the process of mathematics education reform in the United States. MSEB is charged with building alliances, promoting cooperation, and encouraging national, regional, and local projects. The MSEB will pursue the following goals to provide: (1) leadership of continuing efforts to improve mathematical sciences nationally; (2) coordination among existing mathematics education projects; (3) service to localities and states, through assistance in determining curricular goals and higher standards for all students, and improving teacher preparation; (4) recommendations of ways to strengthen weak parts of the infrastructure of mathematics education; (5) information to increase public understanding of the rapidly changing missions and character of the mathematical sciences; and (6) advice to federal, state, and local agencies on long-range goals and needs in mathematical sciences education. In order to pursue these goals, the present proposal will fund five major initiatives (Leader Initiative): school mathematics projects, college/university projects, state and local networks, minority programs, and general outreach. NAS currently supports the executive director and staff of MSEB, NSF will support the five major initiatives plus policy formation, strategic planning, and project creation by the Board and its working committees. Support for project implementation is obtained through separate grants from foundations and agencies both private and public.
