Secondary Mathematics Teacher Preparation Programs in the US. Jon R. Star Harvard University

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1 Secondary Mathematics Teacher Preparation Programs in the US Jon R. Star Harvard University

2 Overview of remarks Overview of university structure in the US, including requirements of collegiate majors Requirements for mathematics ti majors Requirements for secondary mathematics education majors

3 US University System First degree: Bachelors Requires 4-5 academic years (8 semesters) of study Credits The number of hours of instruction per week Most courses are for 3 credits Degree graduation requirement Typically ~120 credit hours (12-15 hrs per semester) Major Approximately 60 credit hours in one discipline

4 Teacher Certification Requirements determined by each state State authorizes universities in the state to issue teacher certification Many colleges and universities offer teacher certification programs Most are very small Approximately 1/3 of math teacher education Approximately 1/3 of math teacher education programs in the US graduate fewer than 30 students (all levels, all subjects) each year

5 Math Teacher Education To become a secondary math teacher, students must earn a Bachelors degree in mathematics Tpicall Typically, thismajoriseactl exactly thesamemathmajor math major as those who are not teachers, such as those pursuing advanced graduate work in mathematics Secondary math teachers enroll in supplemental courses toward the end of their college programs to obtain their certification

6 Mathematics Major Uniformity in required courses across most US universities (voluntary) Typical requirements Calculus, Differential Equations, Abstract Algebra, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Probability and Statistics Math electives: Computer Science, Number theory, Geometry, Set Theory, Applied Mathematics Approximately 60 credits of math 20 3-credit one-semester-long courses

7 Math Education concentration After completion of approximately half of the math major, those interested in pursuing math teaching can apply to programs in Education to pursue their certification Must have obtained a minimum GPA in math courses to be admitted (e.g., 2.5 on a 4-point scale) Completion of required coursework typically takes 2-3 years

8 Requirements in Education General education courses, on topics such as Educational Psychology Diversity/multicultural it l education Special education Teaching with technology Assessment Classroom management Educational policy Math teachers mixed with students in other subjects

9 Requirements in Education Math methods courses Pedagogy; teaching mathematics Capstone course in mathematics ti Designed for math education concentrators Field observation Typically one semester Student teaching Typically one semester Pass state-level certification examination

10 Teacher Certification Test Content and structure varies by state Content Mathematics up to Calculus High school content General questions about pedagogy and learning

11 Teacher continuing education (MA) Provisional certification awarded Upon completion of teacher preparation program, initial license issued Valid for 5 years Can upgrade to Professional License 3 years of full-time teaching Completion of Teacher Induction Program Valid for 5 years Complete additional professional development to renew

12 Alternative routes to certification Many options; vary by state Massachusetts Initiative for New Teachers Admission requirements Bachelors degree; Graduated in top 10% of class; Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) Summer professional development course Assigned a mentor; attend on going professional Assigned a mentor; attend on-going professional development during academic year

13 Most advanced degree US Secondary Math Teachers Less than Bachelors; <1% More than Masters, 6% Masters; 42% Bachelors; 51% National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education

14 Years teaching experience, US Secondary Math Teachers over 20 years; 26% Less than 3 years; 14% 10 to 20 years; 28% 3 to 9 years; 32% National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education

15 Middle school math teachers level of certification and major Major and certification in field; 32% Certification without major in the field; 43% Neither major nor certification in field; 23% Major in field without certification, 2% National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education

16 High school math teachers level of certification and major Certification without major in the field; 14% Major in field without certification, 7% Major and certification in field, 69% Neither major nor certification in field, 10% National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education