The Math Pact, Middle School

Dr. Sarah B. Bush, a former middle school mathematics teacher, is a Professor of K–12 STEM Education and the Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar Chair at the University of Central Florida. At the University of Central Florida, she is the Director of the Lockheed Martin/UCF Mathematics and Science Academy and is a program co-coordinator of the Mathematics Education PhD track. She teaches primarily graduate courses in mathematics education. She is a prolific writer who has authored 13 books and more than 100 journal articles and book chapters. Dr. Bush recently completed a term (2019–2022) as a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Board of Directors. She served as the lead writer and task force chair for NCTM’s Catalyzing Change in Middle School Mathematics: Initiating Critical Conversations. Dr. Bush was the recipient of the 2021 School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Award for Excellence in Integrating Science and Mathematics and 2018 recipient of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE) Early Career Award. Dr. Bush seamlessly integrates her practical experience as a middle school mathematics teacher in public schools with her innovative scholarship to serve as an instructional leader in the field of mathematics education and STE(A)M education. Dr. Bush co-wrote the Simplifying STEM: Four Equitable Practices to Inspire Meaningful Learning: PreK-5 and 6-12 books published by Corwin in early 2024.Karen S. Karp is a mathematics educator who focuses on the intersection of mathematics education and special education. She is a former professor at Johns Hopkins University and at the University of Louisville, where she is professor emerita. Early in her career, she received a Development Award from the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation to support more seamless integration between general education and special education. She is the author or co-author of numerous publications including Assisting Students Struggling With Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades and Elementary and Middle School Mathematics. Karen was on the writing team of the NCTM/CEC joint position statement on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities. In 2024, she chaired the Topic Study Group on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Special Needs at the International Congress on Mathematical Education in Australia. She holds teaching/administrative certifications in elementary education, secondary mathematics, K–12 special education, and K–12 educational administration.Barbara J. Dougherty is a former professor at the University of Hawai‘i where she was Director of the Curriculum Research & Development Group. Her research foci include determining ways to better support students who are struggling in mathematics and teaching algebra for understanding. She is the author or co-author of multiple publications including Assisting Students Struggling With Mathematics: Interventions in the Elementary grades and MPower: A Pathway to Understanding Algebra. Barbara was the co-chair of the joint NCTM/CEC task force and on the writing team of the NCTM/CEC joint position statement on Teaching Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities. She has been principal investigator or co-principal investigator of National Science Foundation and U. S. Department of Education grants that have provided funding to develop intervention modules for middle and high school and progress monitoring tools. She holds current teaching certifications in middle and high mathematics, and K-12 special education.

"Just for a moment, imagine the positive and impenetrable mathematics energetic force field that could be created in a school if every teacher strategically and collaboratively decided upon agreements around mathematics vocabulary, notations, representations, and the overarching philosophy about how mathematics should be taught? Guess what! You do not have to imagine! No more reteaching, revising previously taught material, and explaining that ′Well, in my classroom, we do it, say it, notate it this way.′ Because let’s face it, those messages confuse students and families and can frustrate teachers. Grab this book, gather your colleagues, and get started in creating a unified and comprehensive whole school agreement that will positively enrich your students’ mathematics learning experiences!"

• Foreword by Matthew R. Larson, and Robert Q. Berry IIIAbout the AuthorsAcknowledgementsPrefaceChapter 1: Jumping on Board: What is the Mathematics Whole School Agreement?Chapter 2: Watching What We Say! Using Correct and Consistent LanguageChapter 3: Symbol Sense is Foundational: Noting the Importance of Precise NotationChapter 4: Mental Images that Last: Cohesive and Consistent RepresentationsChapter 5: Why was I Taught That? Evaluating Rules that ExpireChapter 6: Building Generalizations: Developing Instructional Strategies the MWSA WayChapter 7: Embodying the MWSA in Every Lesson: No Teaching by Telling!Chapter 8: Getting to the Nitty Gritty: Building and Enacting the MWSAChapter 9: Sharing Successes from the Field: MWSA Heroes Tell their Stories!ReferencesIndex