ANN ARBOR—Deborah Loewenberg Ball, dean of the University of Michigan School of Education, is part of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel which today releases its blueprint for strengthening U.S. mathematics education, Foundations for Success.

The report is being made public at Longfellow Middle School in Falls Church, Va., outside of Washington D.C. where Vern Williams, a middle school teacher and a member of the panel, teaches.

“Without substantial and sustained changes to the educational system, the United States will relinquish its leadership in the 21st century,” the panel warns, calling for an immediate focus on teaching core topics and skills that provide the foundation for success in algebra and in equipping teachers with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for effective teaching.

Success with algebra is crucial for advancement with mathematics and yet many students do not master the subject, and do not develop the necessary mathematical competence for many careers, the study contends. The report emphasizes the role of teachers and calls for a focus on professional training to provide every student with a well-prepared teacher.

“The report provides guidance for building an effective system of mathematics education in this country,” Ball said. “A focus on ensuring that students master core topics and skills is vital.”

She emphasizes that this cannot happen without skilled teachers who have the mathematical knowledge and professional skill needed to reach all their students.

“This requires professional training, such as we provide practitioners in other professions,” she said. “We cannot improve mathematics education without investing in our nation’s largest occupation, teachers.”

The panel met 12 times in cities around the country, heard testimony from 110 people and reviewed 16,000 research publications to come up with their findings. Panel members include leading experts in mathematics education, mathematics, psychology and education policy from across the nation.

Ball, an expert on elementary mathematics teaching and teacher education, chaired the panel’s task group on teachers and teacher education. She is one of the world’s leading scholars on mathematics education, teacher knowledge and teacher education?work advanced through several research projects that she directs at U-M. Ball is the William H. Payne Collegiate Professor in Education and an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor.

Ball began her career as an elementary school teacher, and became dean of U-M’s School of Education in 2005.

The panel, modeled in part after the National Reading Panel, was charged with advising President Bush and U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings on wise use of scientifically based research to advance the teaching and learning of mathematics.

“To keep America competitive in the 21st century, we must improve the way we teach math and we must give more students the chance to take advanced math and science courses in high school,” Spellings said. “America’s high school graduates need solid math skills, whether proceeding to college or going into the work force.”

The panel is chaired by former University of Texas President Larry Faulkner, who currently serves as president of the Houston Endowment.

Related Links:

• National Mathematics Advisory Panel
• Deborah Ball
• U-M School of Education
• Complete agenda (.pdf)