To focus attention on improving the undergraduate preparation of teachers of middle grades mathematics, the MIDDLE MATH Project will host two Summer conferences and an academic year seminar. Forty mathematicians and mathematics educators from across the United States will work collaboratively to develop middle grades certification or endorsement programs. During the first conference, participants will: explore the NSF Middle Grades Mathematics Curricula currently being developed; hear and react to the developers' perspectives on how curriculum change should affect teacher preparation; review past teacher preparation projects; analyze the NCTM and MAA recommendations for change; and reflect on relevant research. Using electronic mail, a team of research mathematicians and mathematics educators will guide seminar participants in a focused look at the nature of the college mathematics that middle grades teachers should experience. They will review the middle grades text from the NSF-funded NCTM Research Interpretation Project and will discuss the past NSF Middle-School Mathematics Teachers Preparation Projects with their developers. The second summer conference will serve as a catalyst for change. Participants will explore ways in which to use research on the learning of undergraduate mathematics to support and inform curriculum development. Working groups will be established to help the participants review and refine drafts of their proposed program models, course syllabi, and related publications. An NSF program officer will discuss potential sources for funding continued reform efforts. The MIDDLE MATH Project monograph will include edited descriptions of selected teacher preparation programs, course syllabi and related papers. It is hoped that the project will serve as a catalyst for change. Participants will use knowledge gained from learning of relevant NSF initiatives to create more appropriate middle grades programs.
