THE CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTATION - SUPPORTING TEACHERS

Reform in mathematics education has been stimulated and propelled by t he publication of standards documents by the National Council of Teach ers of Mathematics. This article examines the vision of teacher decisi on making that is portrayed in NCTM Professional Teaching Standards: c hoosing worthwhile mathematical tasks, orchestrating and monitoring cl assroom discourse, creating an environment for learning, and analyzing one's practice. The philosophical orientation and the set of commitme nts to teaching and learning on which the standards are based include stances on equity, curriculum, teaching, and learning. These stances a re summarized under the following headings: inclusiveness, depth over coverage, teaching for understanding, active engagement of students, c urriculum investigations, applications, and connections.