The Professional Development Focus of the Year identifies resources from NCTM journals, publications, websites, E-Workshops, and sessions at the Annual Meeting and Regional Conferences that relate to a key theme from Principles and Standards for School Mathematics.

Through the Focus of the Year, NCTM supports professional development by offering educators an effective way to become more knowledgeable about important ideas.

Watch for the symbol highlighting this theme in all of NCTM's activities, including the journals, website, NCTM News Bulletin, publications, and conferences.

2008-2009 Theme        Equity: All Means ALL

Why Equity?

The NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics asserts that “All students regardless of their personal characteristics, backgrounds, or physical challenges, must have opportunities to study-and support to learn-mathematics.”   more >>

2008-2009
Equity: All Means ALL

2007-2008
Data Analysis & Probability:
Becoming Certain about Uncertainty

2006-2007
Learning Through Representation:
Show Me the Math

2005-2006
Assessing to Learn
and Learning to Assess

2004-2005
Developing Algebraic Thinking:
A Journey from Preschool to High School

  Learn Reflect Strands

NCTM Regional Conferences and Expositions, as well as the Annual Meeting and Exposition, feature Focus of the Year Learn Reflect Strands that allow participants to dedicate a full day to the Focus of the Year theme. Strands are also delivered at three Affiliate conferences per year. New this year is a Virtual LearnReflect Strand offered through NCTM's E-Workshop  program.

All conference attendees are invited to participate in these professional development programs, noted in conference program books by the symbol . A strand begins with a Kickoff session, continues with sessions for each grade band, and culminates with a Reflection session, allowing participants to participate in a facilitated discussion based on a set of reflection questions distributed at the Kickoff.

Space is limited, and attendees are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. A complete listing of the Learn Reflect sessions is included in the conference program books. Participants who attend the Kickoff session, at least one Learn Reflect session during the day, and the Reflection session will be eligible for a personalized certificate of participation.