A strong foundation in mathematics, for each and every student from pre-K–12, is vital to our nation's economic stability, national security, workforce productivity, and full participation in our democratic society. Mathematical literacy is fundamental for adult numeracy, financial literacy, and everyday life. As the world's largest professional organization dedicated to improving mathematics education for each and every student, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) supports investing in teachers at every stage of their development and believes that mathematical literacy can be achieved through an increased emphasis from policymakers on early childhood education, family engagement, high-quality standards and assessments, and ensuring the appropriate conditions for learning for each and every student in all the country's schools and classrooms.
NCTM Legislative Platform
Letters and Testimony
NCTM occasionally comments on pending legislation or issues of importance to mathematics education in testimony or letters to Congress, elected officials, or other governmental or nongovernmental entities.
June 19, 2020
NCTM recognizes that the country’s public and private schools have been and will continue to struggle to educate the country’s students as an historic pandemic disrupted schooling and calls on the Senate to take up the Heroes Act and provide needed funding for to bring quality learning and teaching experiences to each and every student.
January 24, 2019
NCTM joined 48 leading national education and advocacy organizations in speaking out and challenging the Department of Education on their decision to rescind the 2014 school discipline guidance.
August 23, 2018
NCTM supports Title IV-A funding for ongoing education services that provide tangible support to students not be redirected to the purchase of firearms for schools.
March 9, 2018
NCTM joins with multiple education organizations in urging congressional support for (TQP) Teacher Quality Partnership grant programs authorized under Title II of the Higher Education Act.
February 23, 2018
NCTM provides feedback to Senate on Higher Education Act in support of mathematics teachers educators, Public Service Loan Forgiveness for educators, TEACH Grants, and more.
February 12, 2018
NCTM opposes Administration's cuts to Title IV-A as proposed in the newly released FY19 budget along with other educational organizations.
November 10, 2017
NCTM provides feedback to Department of Education on their Proposed Priorities including the assurance that the "M" in STEM is not silent and that support is allocated to improve programs for underrepresented groups in both rural and urban settings.
October 17, 2017
NCTM and colleagues encourage the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations to increased funding for Title IV, Part A in the FY2018 budget.
October 17, 2017
NCTM and colleagues encourage the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations to increased funding for Title IV, Part A in the FY2018 budget.
October 17, 2017
NCTM with our educational and scientific colleagues sent a letter to the White House to reconsider policies which are discouraging many of the best and brightest international students, scholars, and scientists from choosing the United States for studying and working and restrict attendance and participation in academic and scientific conferences
September 20, 2017
NCTM joins Data Quality Campaign and other organizations in providing comment to the Department of Education on Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act's (FERPA) regulations, which help to protect students' education records and enable the use of student data for legitimate educational purposes
August 29, 2017
NCTM and NSTA jointly reach out to Senate leaders and members to fund programs supporting K-12 mathematics and science teachers and teacher educators
August 23, 2017
NCTM urges Senate appropriators to adequately fund programs important to K-12 mathematics teachers and teacher educators
August 4, 2017
NCTM urges the preservation of the Office of STEM Education within the Department of Education
Read response from the Department of Education (PDF) »
June 19, 2017
Letter from the Title IV, A Coalition to the House Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant program, found under Title IV, Part A of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
June 19, 2017
Letter from the Title IV, A Coalition to the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant program, found under Title IV, Part A of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
View 2005-2016 Letters and Comments