NCTM 2020 Standards for Mathematics Teacher Preparation

NCTM's Mathematics teacher preparation program recognition standards and review process are used by institutions seeking accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The NCTM Standards serve as the basis for programs to determine which required assessments provide evidence of candidate mastery of the standards.

The 2020 NCTM Standards, Reviewer Rubrics, and additional resources are available to institutions seeking mathematics program recognition for their secondary and middle level teacher preparation programs.

Transition to the NCTM 2020 Standards

From Fall 2022 forward, initial submissions must use the 2020 NCTM Standards. Aligned assessments and two (2) applications of data are required.

Resources for NCTM 2020 Standards

Standards, Supporting Explanations, and Rubrics
These documents are the complete standards documents with supporting explanations, suggestions for evidence, reviewer rubrics and references. 

• Secondary Level Standards, Supporting Explanations, and Rubrics
• Middle-Level Standards, Supporting Explanations and Rubrics
  
  

Reviewer Rubrics
These documents contain the complete instructions for reviewers and program report compilers. The documents contain the preponderance of evidence for each standard, suggestions on assessments that have potential to provide evidence for standards, and the reviewer rubrics written in terms of candidate performance.

• Reviewer Rubrics – Secondary 
• Reviewer Rubrics – Middle Grades
  
  

Alignments to Licensure Exams 

Alignment to edTPA 

• edTPA Alignment NCTM Standards (2020) for Middle Level
• edTPA Alignment NCTM Standards (2020) for Secondary

Alignment to PPAT

• PPAT Alignment to NCTM Standards (2020)

Guidelines and Templates for Using Course Grades as an Assessment

• Step-by-Step Guide for Documenting Course Grades as an Assessment of Candidate Knowledge
• Template for Course Grades and/or Transcript Analysis – Secondary
• Template for Course Grades and/or Transcript Analysis – Middle Level
  
  

Option 1 Instructions

Detailed instructions for compiling the report and completing the program submission forms are included.

• Option 1 Instructions – Secondary 
• Option 1 Instructions – Middle Level
  
  

NCTM Standards, Components, and Criteria 

These documents include the 2020 NCTM standards, the components for each standard, and the criteria for determining the preponderance of evidence for each standard.

• Secondary Standards with Components and Criteria
• Middle Level Standards with Components and Criteria
  
  

Report Compiler Training

NCTM Report Compiler Training for use of the 2020 Standards for CAEP SPA review is scheduled 2-3 times per semester. Details are available at the Report Compiler Training Page.  

Program Reviewer Volunteering

NCTM solicits volunteers to become program reviewers. Program compilers are encouraged to become program reviewers. Information and application materials can be found at the Program Reviewer Application Page. 

Program Shell Requests

Program review options, timelines, and instructions for requesting shells (in AIMS) are available at CAEP’s Website.

2012 Initial Preparation Programs (First Teaching License)

Standards for Mathematics Teacher Preparation

NCTM's Math teacher preparation program accreditation standards and review process are used by institutions involved in the Council of the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) certifications

The 2020 Mathematics program standards and reviewer rubrics are available to institutions seeking mathematics program accreditation for their secondary, and middle grades teacher preparation programs.

The NCTM Standards serve as the basis for programs to determine which required assessments provide evidence of candidate mastery of the standards.

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.

NCTM CAEP Online Report Compiler Training Dates

Secondary Math Teacher Preparation Program    

• Program Standards - Secondary (PDF)  
• Mathematics Content - Secondary (PDF)
• Reviewer Rubrics - Secondary (PDF) Updated

Middle Grades Math Teacher Preparation Program

• Program Standards - Middle Grades (PDF)  
• Mathematics Content - Middle Grades (PDF)  
• Reviewer Rubrics - Middle Grades (PDF)Updated
   

Advanced Preparation Program    

Elementary Math Specialist Advanced Preparation Program   

• Program Standards - Elementary Mathematics Specialist (PDF)  
• Mathematics Content - Elementary Mathematics Specialist (PDF)  
• Reviewer Rubrics - Elementary Mathematics Specialist (PDF)Updated
  
   

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.

• NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) Step-by-Step Guide for Documenting Course Grades as an Assessment of Candidate Content Knowledge
• NCTM CAEP (2012) Template for Course Grades and or Transcript Analysis- Secondary (Word)
• NCTM CAEP (2012) Template for Course Grades and or Transcript Analysis - Middle Grades (Word)
• NCTM CAEP (2012) Template for Course Grades and or Transcript Analyis - Elementary Mathematics Specialist (Word)

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.   

• Alignment of NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) for Secondary to edTPA Secondary Mathematics Operational Handbook rubrics
• Alignment of NCTM CAEP Standards (2012) for Middle Grades to edTPA Middle Grades Mathematics Operational Handbook rubrics