Reston, Va., April 5, 2012
-The ultimate goal of the K-12 mathematics curriculum should not be to get students into and through a course in calculus by twelfth grade. Instead, the aim should be to have established the mathematical foundation that will enable students to pursue whatever course of study interests them when they get to college, according to a joint position statement of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America.
The statement encourages faculty in colleges and secondary schools to work together to re-envision the role of calculus in schools and to clarify what it means to be ready for college-level mathematics. When calculus is offered in secondary school it should have the substance of a mainstream college-level course. Because calculus is now commonly taught in secondary school, colleges should shape the college calculus curriculum so that it is appropriate for those who have experienced introductory calculus in high school, and they should offer alternatives to calculus.
"Calculus is often viewed as the entry path to college mathematics," according to Mike Shaughnessy, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. "NCTM and MAA agree that a high-school calculus course should not be the be-all and end-all of mathematics, nor the only transition path from high school to college mathematics. High school mathematics should prepare students not just for further, specialized study in mathematics but also for the variety of STEM careers and other professions open to them in the future."
MAA and NCTM are committed to taking appropriate action within the structures of their organizations to assist in guiding the implementation of the position statement's recommendations.
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics is a public voice of mathematics education, providing vision, leadership, and professional development to support teachers in ensuring mathematics learning of the highest quality for all students. NCTM is dedicated to ongoing dialogue and constructive discussion with all stakeholders about what is best for our nation's students. The Mathematical Association of America is the largest professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level. Its mission is to advance the mathematical sciences, especially at the collegiate level. MAA and NCTM are committed to taking appropriate action within the structures of their organizations to assist in guiding the implementation of the position statement's recommendations.
Contact: Gay Dillin (
[email protected], 703-620-9840, ext. 2189), Communications Manager, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics