Through the Focus of the Year, NCTM supports professional development by offering educators an effective way to become more knowledgeable about important ideas related to key themes from Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. The list of themes on this page provides access to collections of resources available for professional development on each topic.

2012-2013 Theme

Reasoning and Proof: Is it true? Convince me!  

Why Reasoning and Proof? 

The intent of this yearlong focus on reasoning and proof is to help teachers, school leaders, and teacher educators expand their view of how reasoning and proof should be an active part of all students’ learning of mathematics.  This focus helps to support effective mathematics teaching, enhance mathematics learning, and influence what mathematics is taught.  The beauty of mathematics is accessible to students through the means of reasoning and proof.  Students are able to work at higher levels of generalization, model and solve complex problems, and be more logical in their decision-making.. more >>  

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.

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.

 2010-2011
Geometry 

2009-2010
Connections 

2008-2009
Equity 

2007-2008
Data Analysis & Probability 

2006-2007
Learning Through Representation: 

2005-2006
Assessing to Learn
and Learning to Assess

2004-2005
Developing Algebraic Thinking