Standards for Mathematics Teacher Preparation
Math teacher preparation program accreditation standards and review process are managed by NCTM for the Council of the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Mathematics standards, content, reviewer rubrics, and program report development training are available to institutions seeking mathematics program accreditation for their secondary, middle grades, and elementary mathematics specialists teacher preparation programs.
The NCTM CAEP Standards serve as the basis for programs to determine which required assessments provide evidence of candidate mastery of the standards.
Beginning with the Spring 2015 review cycle, all colleges and universities submitting initial program reviews are required to base their submissions on the NCTM CAEP Standards (2012).
Required mathematics content knowledge for all levels of mathematics teacher candidates is specified in a content addendum accompanying each set of standards. Reviewer rubrics by level include criteria for how program evidence will be judged.
Initial Preparation Programs (First Teaching License)
Secondary Math Teacher Preparation Program
Middle Grades Math Teacher Preparation Program
Advanced Preparation Program
Elementary Math Specialist Advanced Preparation Program
Using Course Grades and or Transcript Analysis as an Assessment of Candidate Content Knowledge
The approval of the NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) provides the impetus for updating how the CAEP guidelines for documenting course grades as an assessment are applied by programs electing to use grades in mathematics courses as an assessment of candidate content knowledge.
Course grades may be used with the NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) for only one assessment of candidate content knowledge. Required mathematics or mathematics education courses selected for inclusion must be aligned to elements of the NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) and to the NCTM CAEP Mathematics Content for Secondary, Middle Grades, or Elementary Mathematics Specialist.
Graduate level programs (e.g., MAT or M.Ed.) that rely on undergraduate mathematics coursework taken by program candidates a another institution or in a different academic major must complete a transcript analysis to determine the sufficiency of courses taken and to specify coursework required to remediate mathematics content deficiencies of admitted candidates.
A step-by-step guide for using and documenting course grades based on the NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) and NCTM CAEP Mathematics Content for Secondary, Middle Grades, or Elementary Mathematics Specialist has been developed. In addition, a Template for Course Grades and or Transcript Analysis for each preparation level are available for downloading. The appropriate downloaded form must be used for entering the required information.
edTPA
Alignments presented below of the NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) with edTPA Mathematics Operational Handbook rubric criteria represent a collaborative effort among NCTM, edTPA, and CAEP.