Principles & Standards for School Mathematics - NCTM

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) published the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics in 2000 to define the necessary building blocks of a high quality school mathematics program.  It provides a common foundation of what should be expected by teachers, students and administration.  The NCTM stresses the importance of mathematical competence for students in order to succeed in life.  Many of the principles and standards include bridging the space between concepts and practical application.

The guide contains both principles and standards.  The principles layout the fundamental beliefs of what is important in a high quality math program.  The standards are actual descriptions of what math instructors should do (process) and what students should know (content).  There are 6 main principles:

1. Equity – provide support and high expectations for ALL students
2. Curriculum – ensure a coherent, well articulated program
3. Teaching – understand what students know and need to know and support them in getting there
4. Learning – ensure understanding based on previous and new knowledge
5. Assessment – assess to help the student improve as well as help the teacher improve and adjust their teaching
6. Technology – harness the power of technology

The standards include 5 process standards and 5 content standards.  The key 5 process standards include:

1. Problem Solving: Become logical, critical thinkers 
2. Reasoning and Proof: Understand the root of the problem 
3. Communication: Express math clearly, coherently & concisely 
4. Connections: Recognize relationships in and out of math 
5. Representation: Demonstrate mathematic ideas diversely

The 5 content standards describe the progression that students should experience as it relates to particular subjects in mathematics

1. Numbers & basic operations (whole to fraction, estimations, calculations with fluency) 
2. Algebra – represent patterns and functions 
3. Geometry – analyzing shapes 
4. Measurement – basic units and systems, techniques and formulae 
5. Data Analysis and Probability – make inferences

These principles and standards should be forefront for all new and experienced teachers as it serves as the common basis for what is and should be expected for math students, teachers and administrators in North America.