Introduction

=Math Education-The Next Five Years=

"May you live in interesting times." So says the old Chinese curse. These are definitely interesting times for education in the United States.

These two forces will have the strongest impact on K-8 education in the next five years.
 * ** Common Core Standards Initiative **
 * ** Technology in Education **

Creating rigorous common standards for English and language arts and mathematics will have far reaching effects. From curricula to standardized testing to collaboration to the evolution of text books...the excitement and anxiety are palpable.

Over the past ten years technology has changed how we do practically everything. Tech has finally made inroads into schools. The next five years will see an explosion of technology in the classroom that will alter how and what kids learn as well as redefine the relationship between student and teacher.

Other factors will have a smaller yet undeniable impact in the field of education.
 * No Child Left Behind-Adequate Yearly Progress
 * Response to Intervention
 * National Education Reform

Good teachers should begin preparing now. Administrators must stay current and support their staff with ongoing professional development. Here's a preview of the next five years in K-8 mathematics education...