Helping Children Learn Mathematics (2002)

Chapter: What Can Policy Makers Do?

Previous Chapter: What Can Administrators Do?
Suggested Citation: "What Can Policy Makers Do?." National Research Council. 2002. Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10434.

What Can Policy Makers Do?

  • Embrace the overarching goal of math proficiency for all.

  • Stress to interested stakeholders the need to accomplish this goal.

  • Support the allocation of scarce education resources to bring about needed critical changes.

    • Realign curricula to promote math proficiency.

    • Fund independent groups to assess alignment of textbooks and testing to achieve math proficiency.

    • Encourage the expenditure of time and resources for necessary and sustained teacher professional development.

    • Support the placement of one or more math specialists in each elementary school.

  • Maintain consistency with the above by supporting the concept that, whenever possible, education decisions should be based on evidence.

  • Take full advantage of the current national focus on and interest in improving education.

Suggested Citation: "What Can Policy Makers Do?." National Research Council. 2002. Helping Children Learn Mathematics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10434.
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